Fish van campaign gets support from MP

Jo Swinson is encouraging people to sign an online petition in support of Shaky’s Plaice, which is run by George Hamill, outside the Kirkintilloch branch of Sainsbury’s.

Store bosses have refused to renew George’s lease for the pitch - despite the fact that he has traded there for 18 years.

East Dunbartonshire MP Ms Swinson said: “I was taken aback when I heard that Sainsbury’s had given this local institution 30 days to close up shop and move on.

“I was explicitly assured that Shaky’s Plaice would be able to continue operating on the current site when I met with a representative from Sainsbury’s about their expansion plans less than two weeks ago, so the sudden change of heart is particularly disappointing.

“I encourage local residents to support George and his wife and make their feelings clear to Sainsbury’s that they want to keep this small local business in the heart of the community.”

There has been lots of support pledged for George and local resident Alison Cannibal has started a petition in an attempt to force the supermarket into a rethink.

A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “We’re very sorry that Jo Swinson was misled by our agent about the future of the Shaky’s Plaice lease, and we have apologised to her. Our agent was not authorised to make any commitments about the site and should not have done so.”

People who want to sign the sign the petition can do so by goingalong to the fish van or by visiting the website at http://bit.ly/shakysplaice

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