As reported in the Bo'ness Journal Tesco supermarket in Bo'ness is due for a much needed refit. There has been long running criticism of the commitment of the Tesco group to the Bo'ness store from many quarters in the community.

The refurbishment revealed this week by the supermarket chain is a £1.25 million project which they say will transform the store and new store boss, of three weeks, Lloyd Ovenstone said: "This project underlines Tesco's commitment to Bo'ness".

The work scheduled to start on January 27 is expected take around 12 weeks with the bulk of the work will be done at night and at weekends.

Mr Ovenstone said: "It will transform the entire store and will mean that we will be able to offer shoppers more lines principally in the fresh food and wines and spirits departments."

An "open forum" meeting at which the all-new management team will meet shoppers to discuss the proposed refurbishment is scheduled to take place prior to work beginning and a number of special promotions are planned when the refurbishment is completed at the end of March.

The facelift includes new plant and refrigeration throughout the store, new shelving with the introduction of two dual express checkouts and upgrading of the checkouts.

The car park is also included in the facelift with the introduction of covered trolley bays, more parent/ child and disabled parking bays and the exterior of the building will also be renovated.

Mr Ovenstone said: "The refurbishment will give Bo'ness a supermarket it can be proud of.

" I was aware of some of the community's concerns and I believe all of these will be addressed by the refit."

Spokesman for the Community Council, Ken Wright, welcomed the news as he had been critical the company for failing to deliver on a refurbishment pledge last year.

Mr Wright said: "Hopefully it will increase the footfall in the town centre and lead to a prosperous New Year for all town centre traders.

"I also hope that housing developers in the area will mention that the town has a Tesco supermarket, rather than directing them to Linlithgow as has been the case."

Much more could be done to encourage shoppers into the town and all interested groups in the town should work together to ensure that every opportunity is taken to promote the regeneration of the town centre and surrounding areas.

Future expectant mums will have their babies delivered at Stirling Royal Infirmary until the proposed new hospital is built. The site for the new hospital has been the subject of a public consultation (which ended December 31 2002) with public meetings held throughout the region to discuss both the proposals and the preferred site.

Emma was born two days early at 7.38 pm on Christmas Day - the only baby delivered across the Forth Valley NHS Board region - and weighed in at a healthy 7lb 8oz.

By Boxing Day she was back home in Liddle Drive, Bo'ness, with her proud mum and dad. Emma's arrival rounded off an eventful year for the couple who were married in Gretna Green in February.

Dana said: "She's absolutely beautiful." (Picture credit: Michael Gillen)