SUPERMARKET chain Waitrose plans to open its first West of Scotland store in Glasgow.

SUPERMARKET chain Waitrose plans to open its first West of Scotland store in Glasgow.

The city's West End is in line for the chain's third Scottish store as it bids to take over a prime site currently occupied by Somerfield.

The company has been searching for property in the city to expand its Scottish portfolio. It currently has two stores in Edinburgh but is now poised to muscle in on Glasgow's Byres Road.

Sources close to the company say Waitrose has struck a deal to take over the site of the existing Somerfield store at the top of Byres Road.

Somerfield's lease on the building expires in September 2009 at which point Waitrose plans to move in and refurbish the site before it opens to the public at Christmas.

It is estimated the deal will cost Waitrose more than £500,0000 a year in rent as it battles for a presence in the West.

Local Labour councillor Hanzala Malik said: "There would be no problems with planning as the site is already being used as a supermarket. I wouldn't see a problem with it.

"The customer would benefit as it would be another high quality store coming to Hillhead and would give Marks and Spencer and nearby stores like Sainsbury's and Morrisons plenty of competition."

Last week Waitrose announced that it is to invest around £800million in 50 new stores in the next five years.

The retailer, part of the John Lewis Partnership, already has 185 outlets.

The new stores are said to form part of proposals to boost its sales to £8billion over the next 10 years.

Waitrose opened its first two Scottish stores in Edinburgh last year.

The company would not comment on the Byres Road deal, but emphasised that its has actively investigated a number of sites across Glasgow.

Lesley Sawers, chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said: "The fact that leading brands such as Waitrose are looking to locate in Glasgow demonstrates the strength of the city as a leading retail centre."