FURTHER speculation that the Co-op would reopen the former Haldanes store in Kelso was quashed again last week.
The issue came up at a meeting of Kelso Community Council when councillor Colin McGrath reported a supermarket insider had said the prohibition on two of the same supermarkets trading in a town had been lifted and that the reopening of the Roxburgh Street shop had been given the nod at a national committee level but had yet to go before a regional committee.
He said: “A regional committee has never before refused a reopening so it is really rubber stamping.”
However in response to a query, another Co-op insider told Scottish Borders Councillor Tom Weatherston: “This area still remains sensitive. I am unable to give you any further insight into this yet.
He continued: “I can confirm that no matter the outcome, we will continue to trade at the Highcroft store.”
And in response to an enquiry from TheSouthern a spokesperson for The Co-operative Group said: “We have been reviewing our options regarding the sites of a number of former Haldanes, including Kelso.
“No decision has yet been made about the Kelso store and The Co-operative Group is continuing to market the site, in the hope of finding a suitable retailer interested in acquiring it.”