Some traders say the store will be 'another nail in the coffin' for the High Street, while others hope it will bring extra M&S shoppers into the town.

The 10,500 sq ft Simply Food store is set to open in the Autumn on the site of the old Dicksons of Dunblane garage.

It will stock a range of M&S food products, from fresh produce and ready meals to sandwiches and salads.

While some local shops won't be in direct competition with M&S, others will, including Choices Delicatessen and coffee shop on the High Street.

Nico Imani-Rad, has run the shop with his wife Patricia for over 17 years, and they worry that shoppers will ignore the High Street when M&S opens.

"If Marks and Spencers was in the middle of the High Street it would help us a lot," said Nico.

"But like Tesco, you won't have to come to the High Street, you just do your shopping and drive off - that's the problem we have.

"I don't think it's good for Dunblane as such, just more competition."

He pointed out that there are 'only a few shops left in the High Street', and Tesco's arrival had forced a butcher, a chemist and a Co-op to shut.

"The young people, we would like to catch them, but they will probably shop in Marks and Spencers," he said.

"The Co-op had been here for over 10 years and that closed not long after, and the chemist's after a year.

"Dunblane is the Cathedral City, and we have to make sure that it's a vibrant business, not just that people live here."

His wife Patricia added: "A lot of people in Dunblane will probably welcome Marks and Spencers, but as a shopkeeper it's another nail in the coffin."

High Street butcher John Hill said he wasn't too concerned about the arrival of the food store.

"I've not really thought about it because there's not much you can do about it," he said.

"It's hard to say what will happen to be honest."

He pointed out that parking concerns might be addressed by the new store, a hope shared by community council chair Terrence O'Byrne.

"I can't see the store doing much harm as it will bring people from Bridge of Allan and other areas to maybe park there, shop there and then walk about," he said.

"But we're not happy about the proposed road arrangements on exiting the new carpark and store.

"The planners said our mini roundabout idea wasn't a goer, but I don't see why not, so we've written to them to express strong safety concerns.

"It will also be inconvenient for people to have to drive all the way up to the Keir roundabout and then come all the way back down."

An M&S spokesperson said: "We are delighted to be opening a new Simply Food store in Dunblane, providing the very best of Marks & Spencer food in a convenient location.

"The store will bring a fresh, new shopping environment to the town and we're counting down the weeks to unveiling our exciting, modern store to our customers."

Write Comment

We do not need or track your email address and your comments can be posted anonymously if you wish. Enter your comments below. If you enter the wrong security code hit *Refresh* on your browser and start again. The security code is to prevent spam.
Name:
Title:
Comment:
Enter Code:*