Tavish Scott visits Stockbridge to back local campaign

1.34.33pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 21st Apr 2009

Kevin Lang and Tavish Scott speak with Mr Akram of Costcutter

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader, Tavish Scott today joined local parliamentary candidates Kevin Lang and Alex Cole-Hamilton in Stockbridge to speak with local traders and back the campaign against a new supermarket.

The campaign to 'Keep Stockbridge Local', which has been organised by the Stockbridge and Inverleith Community Council has been supported by over 6,000 local residents.

Many are furious at Sainsbury's attempt to take over the lease of the old Woolworths site on Raeburn Place and open yet another supermarket. There is real concern that many small shops, a number of which are already struggling in the current economic climate, will not be able to cope with a loss of business to a new supermarket.

During the visit, Tavish Scott met with the owners and managers of a number of small businesses in Stockbridge including Herbies, the Post Office, Costcutter and Bowers the butcher.

Speaking during his visit to shops along Raeburn Place, Tavish said,

"It has been great to be able to join Kevin and Alex in Stockbridge and speak first hand with those who stand to lose out from another supermarket opening up.

"Stockbridge is a special part of Edinburgh and we need to keep it that way. I've been impressed with the hard work of the community council and the huge support they have received from residents. It shows the strong feeling that exists in this community about preserving the small shops that provide so much character to this part of the Capital city."

Local Westminster candidate for the Liberal Democrats, Kevin Lang added,

"Sainsburys wrote to me just last week confirming their interest in taking over the old Woolworths site. They have yet to sign the lease so there is still time for residents to show Sainsburys that this community is against them opening yet another supermarket when there is already a Sainsburys just a short commute away in Craigleith.

"This is a campaign that the Liberal Democrats have thrown its whole weight behind. Last month, the Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable signed the petition and today our Scottish Leader Tavish Scott has added his support. We will continue to work with the community council and local traders to do what we can to keep Stockbridge local."