The developer behind plans for a new £10million retail park, including a Marks and Spencer food store, in Fort William has confirmed that work is due to start on site in August.
The proposed complex alongside the Lochaber town’s North Road, which will include a M&S Simply Food, Aldi and Home Bargains, is expected to create nearly 200 construction jobs and 150 long-term jobs.
Morbaine director Alex Brodie said: “We are out to tender on the enabling works, including highways and site preparation, with this work scheduled to begin in August 2016.
“The subsequent building works will be tendered for separately and should commence in October 2016, with the site expected to be completed in the summer of 2017.
“Morbaine has also instigated the legal process to purchase the site from the two existing owners and will own the site by July so we are making progress having been unavoidably delayed because of the need to reapply for permission to the Highland Council after technical issues with BT phone lines.”
The company had to resubmit its planning application to Highland Council in January because it was discovered that there were BT cables beneath a planned A82 roundabout access and permission was granted in April.
Mr Brodie also confirmed that M&S Food had signed a legally binding Agreement for Lease for a unit at the new North Road retail site when construction was complete.
And a spokeswoman for M&S said the retailing giant was still committed to coming to Fort William.