Lidl, M&S Food and Starbucks all coming to Banchory as ‘long-awaited’ plans approved

Banchory will no longer be “left behind” with plans for a new Lidl, M&S Food shop and Starbucks drive-thru in the town now approved.

Developers have been given the go-ahead to start work on the site at Hill of Banchory, behind the Tesco supermarket.

Councillors today heard that the major names are all poised to put pen to paper, with deals dependent on planning permission being granted.

An as-yet unnamed garden centre and a Home Bargains would also feature in the scheme.

Why was Banchory retail park approved?

The scheme was unanimously backed during a meeting of the Marr area committee this morning.

Banchory and Mid-Deeside councillor Eilieen Durno took her colleagues on a trip down memory lane as she reflected on the changing face of the Deeside town.

She said: “When I was younger, we shopped locally at shops like Spar and Mace in Banchory and then went to places like Fine Fare in Aberdeen for bigger shops.

“There’s a perception that we have always been left behind, and people travel to Westhill or even Inverurie to use stores like these.

“This is natural progression for a growing community.”

What do locals think?

Aberdeenshire Council received 14 objections to the plans, while seven people wrote letters of support.

Many raised concerns about the impact on local traders.

But independent retail experts appointed by Aberdeenshire Council concluded that central stores and cafes would suffer only minimal losses.

They said supermarkets in Westhill and Aberdeen were more likely to see a drop in trade.

When will the new shops open?

Developers Banchory Estates last week told us that construction would begin this year if it was approved. 

All going to plan, the stores could be open by next summer.

Blair Morrison, from Banchory Estates, said the likes of Lidl and M&S had done their own research into the “deficient” offering in the area.

He added: “It’s taken a while to bring these types of retailer here, but they are now committed to Banchory.”

What about the drive-thru concerns?

Senior planner Neil Mair dismissed the idea that new Scottish Government planning rules could effectively outlaw the drive-thru aspect.

Mr Mair said the facility would not be a destination in its own right, being used primarily by shoppers visiting the site or commuters along the A93.

You can see the plans here.