Supermarket giant Aldi has taken aim at the Stewartry under plans to expand in Scotland.
And a site in Castle Douglas looks the most likely option for the German firm.
Tesco and the Co-op are well-established – but would another supermarket help or hinder the Food Town?
Jimmy Craig of Ballard’s Butchers reckons King Street was in a very fragile state until recently.
“Covid-19 has actually helped the high street,” he said.
“Everybody was really quiet before but more folk are shopping locally now and it has helped more of the wee shops keep open.
“The Co-op could do more business, Tesco could do more business and the high street could certainly do more business.
“It would only mean more money going out of the area. Then again, it might draw more people in – I just don’t know.”
Castle Douglas Community Centre board of trustees chairman David Young had mixed feelings. He said: “I think the key thing is it gives customers choice.
“I think it would probably bring people in who currently go to Newton Stewart or Dumfries.
“But long term whether it’s a good thing for King Street I am not 100 per cent sure.”
Castle Douglas Community Council chairman Alistair Clark added: “I suppose a lot of shoppers would want to go because of the value for money. But I would hope it wouldn’t affect other businesses in the town who have survived well through Covid.
“We would not want Aldi to come in and undo all that good work.”
Esther Tacke, of Galloway Cycling Holidays at Rhonehouse, said: “Aldi does a lot of work with Scottish producers and has a good ethical policy.
"There are also a lot of people on low incomes and for them an Aldi would probably be a good thing.
“I’m always in favour of prioritising the high street but it’s a difficult one.”
