More than 60 jobs are being created with the opening of Stirling’s new B&M store on Saturday, February 19.
The new store and garden centre in Springkerse Retail Park is on the site of the former Homebase store.
The premises have undergone a comprehensive internal and external refurbishment programme ready for the doors opening at 9am.
The retailers faced a challenging process before finally securing permission to open the store.
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Stores operating at Springkerse have traditionally been restricted to the sale of household goods with sales of food not allowed.
But Stirling Council’s planning panel last year approved B&M’s application to vary a condition of previous planning consent, allowing the sale of food and non-food goods.
Homebase closed their store at the end of 2018 with the loss of 65 jobs and it has been vacant until now.
B&M currently have another store in the city’s Kerse Road - which they have pledged to retain for at least three years once the new store opens.
Since the retail park was built more than two decades ago, Stirling Council has fended off a number of attempts to alter conditions on the types of retail outlets allowed to operate there, in a bid to protect the viability of Stirling’s city centre.
But at the panel meeting last summer, chair Councillor Alasdair Macpherson and Tory group leader Councillor Neil Benny proposed approving the application, citing that it was relevant that only 21 per cent of products would be different and that this would have a minimal impact on Stirling city centre.
They also said a previous consent involving Argos collections was being taken into account. Their stance was backed by all but one of the panel members - Councillor Jim Thomson.
He had asked for his dissent to be recorded, adding: “I believe it will have a major impact on the city centre at a time when we should be supporting it.”
At a previous meeting, planning officials had warned that approval could set a precedent, may be contrary to current council policy and could have implications beyond Springkerse.
B&M had said they found no evidence to suggest that their proposal would be materially harmful to the city centre, however Stirling BID (Business Improvement District), which represents traders in the city centre, had voiced concerns on behalf of their members.
Braehead and Broomridge Community Council had also objected to the principle of the B&M proposal, citing the potential “devastating” effect on Stirling city centre.
This week a B&M spokesperson said that customers to the new store could expect to find “a wide variety of branded groceries for the best possible price including a range of food, drink, and pet food”.
They added: “There will also be a fantastic selection of quality health and beauty products, homeware, electricals, DIY essentials, toys, games, gifts and plenty more to explore.
“The store will also boast its own garden centre, selling hundreds of plant varieties and gardening essentials.
“We’re feeling extremely positive about the creation of more jobs for local people during these difficult times and we hope customers are going to be delighted with their new store. We are all really excited to get the doors open and welcome our new customers through the door.”
