Monday April 20th 2026
Asian food retailed Longdan is taking over the former Tesco store at Forge Retail Park
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Drew Sandelands
Plans to sell booze at an Asian supermarket and food court in Parkhead have been delayed over a “vague” licence bid.
Asian food retailer Longdan is taking over the former Tesco store at Forge Retail Park after securing planning permission in 2024.
But efforts to get a provisional premises licence, allowing the sale of alcohol, stalled on Friday. Bosses were advised by the city’s licensing board to seek legal representation as their application lacked “specifics”.
Councillors on the board were told Longdan, which operates 15 stores around London, intends to create an “Asian cultural hub”.
Under the plan, the former Tesco store will be split into three, with the Asian supermarket, a food court and one other use.
The applicants said the final third could become a “large restaurant” or potentially be used by Asian hair and beauty salons.
Cllr Dan Hutchison, who was chairing the board, said: “Under the operating plan, you have said the premises are for alcohol consumption on and off the premises, you have not specified that there is a restaurant attached to that.
“So if you were granted this, you wouldn’t be able to open restaurants within the premises under what you’ve applied for.”
The applicants said alcohol is an “add on” to the Asian food, adding they may serve some Asian beers.
Cllr Bill Butler said: “There’s a lack of specifics if I may say so in terms of the outline you presented to us. It’s rather vague and this board operates on a detailed application basis.”
Cllr Hutchison then asked if the firm wanted to continue the application until the next board meeting and “maybe have a think about some of the questions we’ve asked”.
“We seldom get people with complex applications like this without legal representation,” he said. “You don’t have to do that but a lot of the questions that we’ve asked would have been answered by one of the representatives.”
The item was continued.
Longdan, one of the largest Asian food importers in the UK, stocks over 10,000 products from across Asia, including Vietnam, Japan, Korea, China and Thailand.
The firm’s planning application had pledged to “launch the biggest Asian supermarket in Glasgow, including Oriental supermarket, Asian food court and unique event space and distribution centre”.
It added: “The purpose of this project is to build a one stop destination for Asian goods and services in Glasgow. Whether it be groceries, dining or entertainment, the premises will provide a place for the Scottish public to experience a harmonious fusion of Asian culture and Scottish products.
“The restaurants and stores are dedicated to preserving Asian traditional values while elevating their elegance.”
Tweet Share on Facebook
