Gaelic welcome in store

Gaelic welcome in store

Corby has a large Scottish population

Shoppers in Northamptonshire have given a mixed reaction to a supermarket chain's bid to reach out to its local community.

Asda has introduced information signs in Gaelic to its store in Corby, where there is a large Scottish population.

The supermarket chain said the signs, which are also being installed in shops in two areas in Scotland, were aimed at giving the language "a real boost".

But one bemused shopper in Corby told BBC Radio Northamptonshire: "They could put it in Yugoslavian for all I know."

Part of culture

Another commented: "More information's always a good idea, but I don't know anybody who speaks Gaelic."

However, a third was more impressed.

"There are so many Scots people here - the older ones obviously still like Gaelic. It's part of their culture."

The move has been welcomed by Allan Campbell, chief executive of Gaelic development agency Comunn na Gaidhlig.

"The aspiration of the Gaelic development movement is to normalise the position of Gaelic in the everyday lives of its speakers and supporters.

"This kind of high profile initiative contributes significantly to that end."

Corby acquired a large Scottish population in the 1930s, when many Scots came to work at the new steelworks.

The bilingual signs have also been introduced in the Aberdeen area, and Elgin in Moray.