That's the view of some observers in Invergordon as they watch Asda and Tesco go head to head for a presence up the road in Tain — which already boasts several Co-ops and a Lidl.

The fear being voiced privately by some is that should both great rivals open in Tain, Invergordon could be badly affected commercially due to shoppers flocking to the Royal Burgh.

News that a public inquiry into three separate supermarket proposals in Tain has now been postponed following Tesco's surprise announcement that it had shifted its attention to a town centre site has fuelled calls from Invergordon for the likes of Asda to consider locating there instead.

The Ross-shire Journal was contacted by a number of locals in Invergordon keen to raise the issue. Contacted for comment, Cromarty Firth councillor Maxine Smith pointed out she had to remain totally impartial on such matters to ensure she could have her say at Highland Council planning hearings.

But she said, "Invergordon would substantially benefit from a supermarket if it was placed in the right location to draw people who would not normally come to Invergordon.

"An ideal location would be up on the land beside where the old British Aluminium Smelter used to be, as it is looking increasingly like the plans Forscot had will not come to fruition.

"This would then be beside the new Balcas wood pellet plant that is due to be built shortly, which is coming to Invergordon.

"It would need to be something to compliment what is available in Alness or Tain, but reports on supermarkets and their effects on High Street shops all point to the location and the type of venture being correct, in conjunction with sufficient public consultation. When all issues are brought to the table openly for discussion, supermarkets and shops can work side by side to increase the throughput of shoppers within a specific area, benefitting both the small shops, the supermarket and the shoppers.

"As Business Association Chair I would urge any business, supermarket or otherwise to consider the old Alcan smelter site or other appropriate area in Invergordon as a potential site for development, bearing in mind that this could attract shoppers from the north, the south and the west if it was easily accessible from the A9 and was of the right calibre."

Cllr Smith, who runs a beauty salon business on the town's High Street, is set to stand down as chair of Invergordon Business Association but will remain as a member.

A local resident who asked not to be named said the people of Invergordon "should go on bended knees to Asda to come here" because of the propsect of the town being effectively bypassed. He said, "We are reduced to a very good Farmfoods and a small convenience store as things stand. If Invergordon is bypassed and if Asda as well as Tesco and Lidl all open in Tain, businesses here can all close their doors."

Invergordon has of late seen a number of community initiatives – including the launch of a mural trail towards the end of last year. It also enjoys an influx of high-spending cruise liner visitors, more of whom it hopes to attract to stay for longer.

Locally it is hoped that the Balcas green energy woodchip plant – which now appears to be back on track following contamination issues — will act as a spur for further development.

Another High Street businesswoman, Noreen Kelman, who was heavily involved in the Off the Wall mural trail poroject, said, "Although Farmfoods and Somerfields give an excellent service we lack the choice that all the other Ross-shire burghs enjoy, which means that local people tend to do their weekly shop outwith the town, and that affects all the businesses in Invergordon. Most people want more shops in Invergordon, but it's a Catch 22 situation. We need more people to come into the town to encourage other shops to start up. Regeneration through art was the idea behind the Mural Trail."

An online poll in the Ross-shire Journal found the overwhelming majority of people voting plumping for Asda over Tesco in Tain, currently dominated by the Co-op and, more recently, Lidl.

A spokesman for Asda said of Invergordon, "We have been looking for some time at suitable towns across the Highlands. We keep all possibilities under review."

A spokesman for Tesco said, "We have a dedicated property team that looks at all opportunities in Scotland and we are always open to suggestions."

editor@rsjournal.co.uk

* Does Invergordon need another supermarket? Go to 'The Big Vote' to have your say.

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