The owner of a Moray village’s only grocery store says he welcomes competition – but fears that having a new shop opposite his will cause traffic mayhem.
David Morrison took over the Lhanbryde business from his father 40 years ago, and runs it with his wife Margaret.
The couple objected to proposals for a new Co-op convenience store, situated directly opposite their premises on St Andrew’s Road.
But they maintain they are not worried about how it could impact on trade at the Key Store and post office which they operate.
However, they have expressed concerns that having another shop directly across from theirs will cause congestion along the thoroughfare – and bring little benefit to the village.
Moray Council last week endorsed developer Tahir Pervaiz’s application for the scheme, and work on demolishing the historic Tennant Arms building to make way for the Co-op is expected to begin next year.
Yesterday, Mr Morrison explained that he would be receptive to a new shop in Lhanbryde – as long as it was in the “right place”.
He said: “We are not opposed to having another shop here, it’s the location that bothers us.
“This is a duplication of what we already have, right across the road.
“There’s already a lot of congestion because we are the only shop, and a lot of people drive here.
“At peak times, the traffic is horrendous and now we are faced with having more delivery vans that could possibly arrive at the same time as ours.
“Having the shop in the heart of Lhanbryde – to where people could walk – would make a lot more sense.”
Mrs Morrison added: “Lhanbryde can support two shops, but it’s ridiculous to have another the same as ours beside us.
“Now we are losing an important building, and not gaining anything new.”
The 150-year-old Tennant Arms, a former hotel and pub, will be destroyed to make way for the Co-op, despite more than 500 people signing a petition aimed at saving the 19th century landmark.
Mr Pervaiz has argued that the new shop will benefit Lhanbryde, and his architectural team has promised to design the new building to resemble the existing venue.
Moray Council’s planning committee agreed that the new shop would not cause any significant traffic issues, despite protestations to the contrary from villagers.