Shopping centre car park to close

shops-1

The agent, on behalf of the owner of Westhill Shopping Centre, has today advised that the car park at the shops will be closed on Sunday 29th January to carry out repairs to the large potholes at the top of the entrance road. In order to minimise disruption these repairs will be done out of hours.

New Westhill shops to take shape soon

Westhill shops 2

Following planning consent being granted last year for an extension to the existing shops, the owners of the shopping centre are to commence building works on September 15th 2014. Existing tenants and members of the public are invited to a meeting on Thursday 11th September from 4.30pm in the offices of Aberdeen Radiation Protection Ltd (Suite 3, first floor, Westhill Centre) where they can view plans and ask any questions they may have on the development.

 

End of an era!

Sir Robert Smith MP, Cllr Iris Walker, Paul Melling

Despite the dreich start to the day, Sir Robert Smith, MP’s summer tour was a great success after four days travelling around his constituency. One of the traditional stops Sir Robert has made over many years looks set to be the last as Millers of Midmar restaurant and retail outlet announced today that the company has gone into administration. Millers has been a popular destination for both the farming and the equestrian world as well as folks coming from near and far just for a cup of coffee and what some say “the best scone around” as well as a browse round the quality gift, clothes and book departments.

Around 40 staff are set to lose their jobs. Millers has employed many local people over the years and it is that friendliness and local knowledge shown by staff that no doubt attracted customers. I spoke to one of the longest-standing employees today and she said that Millers wasn’t just a place of work; it was a place to socialise, a community in itself. Despite the business being advertised on the open market, no investor has come forward. The restaurant has already been closed and the shop will remain open until stock is sold off.

Confusing shop pricing must be changed – McInnes

Alison McInnes MSP

North East Liberal Democrat MSP Alison McInnes is asking local residents to contact her with examples of confusing unit pricing they have come across while shopping. It is part of a move to support Jo Swinson MP’s Price Marking Consumer Information Bill which is making its way through the UK Parliament. The Bill has the support of the consumer organisation Which?

Ms Swinson explained: “The unit price is the price per kg, litre, 100g etc of a product and is provided to help shoppers compare prices between like-for-like products of different sizes where a direct comparison may not be straightforward e.g. a 600g jar of mayonnaise for £3.49 compared to a 400g jar for £2.50.

“The Bill will make it easier to work out which product is the cheapest. It calls for supermarkets to make sure:

the unit price is prominent and easy to read

that they use consistent units across the board

and the unit price is shown for items when they are bought as part of a promotion.

Mrs McInnes said “We are building a case against silly pricing and daft deals. Any constituents who come across examples of this can write to me at my constituency office at Ellon Business Park Centre, Broomiesburn Road, Ellon, AB41 9RD or email me at alison.mcinnes.msp@scottishparliament.uk

“They can also show support by signing the pledge at which.co.uk/unitpricing. Tweet any bad exampled of unit pricing to @whichaction using the hashtag #priceitright”

I’m backing Alison and Jo on this issue – please get in touch with Alison as above.