Tesco focus of battle on Isle of Skye

Portree, Scotland -- The Scottish Isle of Skye, known for mists, mountains and romantic history, is embroiled in a modern battle over allowing a developer to build a supermarket.

The fight pits local officials and business owners against many local residents, The Scotsman reports. Many people on Skye would like to shop at Tesco, believing they would get better prices and more variety than at the small co-op stores now available.

At the moment, anyone on Skye who wants to patronize Britain's largest supermarket chain has to travel 120 miles to Inverness.

Oatridge, a development company, has submitted plans for a 30,000-foot store in Portree, Skye's main retail center. The local council delayed making a decision last month, and is to take up the issue again in June.

Joanna MacKerracher, a spokeswoman for the co-op, said the Tesco would drain
most of the retail business, leaving locals with less choice.

But Drew Millar, a local council member, said 85 percent of Skye residents want the supermarket.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.