Tesco's new £8.75 million superstore in Pitlochry is scheduled to open early next year, following the unanimous approval of a provisional licence by the Perth and Kinross Licensing Board. The store, located on Bridge Road opposite Blair Athol Distillery, will create between 75 and 100 jobs when it opens its doors in January or February 2027.
Licence Approval and Background
On Wednesday, July 1, councillors on the Perth and Kinross Licensing Board were asked to grant a provisional licence for the 27,000 square feet store, which is still under construction. Presenting the application on behalf of Tesco, licensing lawyer Audrey Junner said: “Planning permission for this site was originally granted way back in 2011, when it was actually owned by Sainsbury’s, so there has been plans for a supermarket in Pitlochry for a very long time so I think it’s much anticipated here.”
Planning permission for a supermarket on the site was originally granted to Sainsbury’s in 2011. According to Perth and Kinross Council (PKC), the permission applies to the land rather than the developer. A PKC spokesperson explained: “Planning permission for a supermarket at Bridge Road in Pitlochry was approved in 2011 and work began onsite in 2014, prior to the expiry of consent. Once a material start has been made, the planning permission remains extant and applies to the land, rather than the developer involved. As such, although Sainsbury’s decided not to proceed with the development, Tesco is developing a new supermarket in accordance with the previously agreed planning permission.”
Store Details and Economic Impact
Junner noted that the developer is currently working on building the shell of the store. “It’s still very much a building site and, if we’re successful today in obtaining the licence, the fit-out of a Tesco will take place with the anticipated launch date probably January or February 2027. The store itself will be a Tesco superstore format - a standard-sized store. It represents an investment of roundabout £8.75 million and the creation of approximately 75-100 jobs within the store.”
There were no objections to the licensing application. The provisional licence was unanimously approved - subject to conditions - by the Perth and Kinross Licensing Board.
Community Reaction
Following the meeting, Highland Perthshire ward Conservative councillor John Duff, who sits on the board, said: “I’m glad to see that construction is progressing and, when it opens, it will be another asset for the community.”
