THE Co-op has now revealed that its reopening of part of the former Haldanes store in the town’s Roxburgh Street, will take place on December 6.
Closed by Haldanes last summer with the loss of 50 jobs, the premises belong to a London-based company, Threadneedle Investments.
However, the Co-op leases the building and still has more than 20 years of its agreement with Threadneedle Investments to run.
The new store will be approximately 3,500 sq ft, and will create up to 20 new jobs. It will be in addition to the existing Co-operative food store in Highcroft, Kelso, which will remain open.
Local Kelso community councillor Colin McGrath welcomed the opening date as more good news in the wake of the Co-op decision to re-open in at least part of the Roxburgh Street premises.
“My understanding is that an interior wall will be erected to divide the premises in two,” Mr McGrath told us.
“Obviously the Co-op won’t lease the rest to a business that would be direct competition, so it could end up as a shop or offices, or maybe even a restaurant or coffee shop as a way of attracting more people into the store.”