New Burnside Tesco given opening date

May 19 2010 by Will Henshaw, Rutherglen Reformer

TESCO have announced the opening date of their new store in Burnside.

The supermarket will open on May 24, much to the delight of residents around the area.

And a whopping 400 local people have applied for jobs as the new outlet prepares to open its doors.

There was considerable concern in Burnside when Somerfield announced they would be closing their store on the site after owners refused to extend their lease.

However, it was announced soon afterwards that Tesco had swooped in to secure the area, thus saving jobs of all the staff at the supermarket.

The former Somerfield store in Stonelaw Road, which has created 65 new full- and part-time jobs, has now finished recruiting and store manager Graham Nisbet said the number of applications was overwhelming.

Graham added: “In this time of economic uncertainty, it is great that we are able to create jobs and help get people back into work. We recruited from the local area in conjunction with the local Job Centre, and the quality of applicants was fantastic – I am delighted with my new team.”

In addition, all 59 members of the former Somerfield team retained their jobs.

Graham added: “All new recruits are currently on their company induction. They will then go on training specific to their department to ensure that they are fully up-skilled prior to the opening.

“We are currently preparing for the launch of the new store on May 24 and look forward to playing an active role in the local community.”

The new store will be open from 7am till 10pm, seven days a week.

Burnside Community Council held two extraordinary meetings over the matter, as residents became more and more concerned about the closure of Somerfield.

Secretary of the council Malcolm Piggot said it came as a great relief that Tesco had taken it over. “We had two special meetings on the matter, which were both very well-attended.

“It’s of great relief that Tesco have stepped in to do what is necessary.

“To open it on May 24 is a superb achievement for Tesco.

“The traders on Stonelaw Road are heartily relieved and cannot wait for the store to open as they’ve been losing trade since Somerfield closed.”