Tesco to introduce online shopping and delivery in Orkney

Tesco is to press ahead with plans to introduce an online shopping and delivery service in some parts of Orkney.

The move follows the Scottish Government overruling an earlier Orkney Islands Council planning decision which rejected permission for an extension on its Kirkwall store, following an appeal lodged by Tesco.

It was last September that an application for an extension at Tesco in Kirkwall, to be used for an internet ordering home delivery service, was refused planning permission.

At that time, members of the OIC planning committee heard that 42 objections to the proposal had been received, primarily concerned at the economic impact it would have on the town centre and rural shops.

The supermarket giant has now won an appeal with the government over that decision, which overrules the OIC decision.

Tesco says that as a result of winning the appeal work will start soon on the development, which it says, will provide around 25 new jobs.

Work will begin on the extension to the store in May with the service being fully operational by mid-July.

The company stated that the service initially will be for the Orkney Mainland only. A similar service was introduced in Lerwick and Stornoway last year, and both have proved extremely popular, according to Tesco.

Further details in The Orcadian on Thursday.