Former B&Q in Inverness to become base for discount store
A DERELICT Inverness eyesore will finally undergo a major refurbishment in time for new tenants to move in by summer.
The former B&Q store on the Carse Industrial Estate has lain empty for seven years but a deal has at last been struck with discount brand B&M to take over the site.
The retail company, which employs thousands of staff across the UK, has confirmed that it will shortly start work on the empty unit, with job vacancies expected to be advertised on its website in the near future.
The news comes following several false starts for the site after Highland Council and Scottish Canals spent months negotiating with landlord Threadneedle. The investment company owns several buildings on the Carse Industrial Estate, some of which have recently been taken on by firms including Poundland and Oak Furniture Land.
A spokesman for B&M said: "We are delighted to announce today that B&M Retail will be opening our first store in Inverness; occupying the former B&Q in the city. A comprehensive internal and external refurbishment programme will be completed and the new B&M store is expected to open by summer this year.
"At B&M, we always believe that our colleagues make the store what it is and we will be looking to recruit in the very near future. When applications open, all jobs will be advertised via the B&M website."
The news was welcomed by Councillor Richard Laird, who previously advocated that a compulsory sale order be enforced on the site.
"I, like most people in this part of Inverness, am just pleased that finally at long last the site will be put to good use," he said.
Threadneedle has been heavily criticised for leaving the building empty for so long. It is understood it continued to receive rent from B&Q.
