TESCO has been slammed over a "profiteering" move to allegedly turf out a vital women's refuge from rented premises in Glasgow.
Saheliya is a charity providing help to black, Asian and minority ethnic women in Glasgow and their children, some of whom have suffered from abuse.
READ MORE: Tesco slammed over 'turfing out women's refuge from premises'
They are based in the St Rollox building beside the Springburn Tesco, which is rented out by the supermarket giant to the charity.
Support our request to @Tesco to reconsider their decision regarding our premises in #Glasgow and help us continue to provide our vital grassroot services for marginalised women and children.
— Saheliya (@Saheliya) June 22, 2021
See below for further information 👇#community #Scotland #support pic.twitter.com/cwfd2POpI8
The firm is under fire for reportedly telling Saheliya that it can either buy the building and surrounding land - for what is claimed to be an inflated price - or move out.
The charity claims this would have a devastating impact on its activities, which include supporting women's mental health and childcare needs, and that they cannot afford Tesco's asking price, which they say is £350,000.
READ MORE: Glasgow's Maryhill Tesco in cash gift to North United Communities
It is further claimed that Tesco inflated the property price above its valuation when the company's initial offer of £305,000 was first made.
Saheliya said they tried to meet this offer but the firm then increased the asking price.
I am very disappointed by this profiteering decision by @Tesco. @Saheliya have done an amazing job to transform one of Springburn's most historic buildings into a sanctuary for women asylum seekers and their children. I will write to Tesco CEO Ken Murphy asking him to reconsider. https://t.co/8BhAsa8NOu pic.twitter.com/MZofcGSqEx
— Paul Sweeney MSP (@PaulJSweeney) June 22, 2021
The charity said Tesco has since retracted their offer and have made no further communications other than a "one-line email" saying the property would not be sold.
Bob Doris, the SNP MSP for Maryhill and Springburn, will raise the matter in Parliament today and is writing to Tesco to raise the issue with the supermarket chain's head.
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In a motion seen by the Glasgow Times, Mr Doris said: "Tesco should place its corporate and social responsibilities at the heart of any negotiation process, as opposed to maximising profit on any sale."
Saheliya said in a tweet: "We provided extensive architect plans [to Tesco], explained the importance of the building for our services for marginalised women surviving violence and for the development of our childcare services".
Paul Sweeney, a Labour MSP for Glasgow tweeted: "I am very disappointed by this profiteering decision by Tesco."
Mr Sweeney said he would write to Tesco's CEO Ken Murphy on the matter.
Tesco was approached for comment.
The supermarket told our sister title The National: “We recognise that Saheliya provide important services for the community and we have worked with them to lease the property at a reduced rate. We are not in a position to make any long-term decisions on St Rollox House at this time.”
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