BANKIES have voiced their opposition to potential plans to reopen the deli where schoolgirl Paige Doherty was murdered.

Delicious Deli, on Clydebank’s Fleming Avenue, was shut after the 15-year-old was brutally killed by its owner on March 19, 2016.

But, our sister paper the Evening Times learned another business on the street is in talks with the building’s owner, Mr Singh, to take over the space.

When approached, Paige’s heartbroken mum confirmed she was told of the bid on the third anniversary of her daughter’s death and the would-be owner had even suggested hanging a picture of the teen inside.

Pamela Munro said: “It’s really distasteful to re-open it as a deli and it wasn’t a good time for me to be told.

“I don’t want to see it opened again but certainly not as a deli.

“My kids won’t be able to visit family in Whitecrook because I can’t allow them to see that open as a deli, it would terrify them.

“We can’t give our blessing for the place our daughter was killed to be re-opened as a deli.

“We were approached about a picture being hung in Paige’s memory which we’ve not really thought about but it’s inappropriate.”

It’s understood the potential renter has approached members of Paige’s extended family for approval, however, the news has sparked anger among the community who want to see the building pulled down.

Clydebank Waterfront Councillor Danny Lennie said: “I was shocked to hear the possibility of a deli opening in Fleming Avenue.

“Paige was brutally murdered in a deli, to open another deli on the site is completely insensitive and inappropriate.

“I fully understand [site owner] Mr Singh looking to re-let the premises, but in the name of all that’s decent not a deli.”

Post readers agreed and said nobody would use the space.

Jacqui Dorrington wrote: “I could never go in it. Not now after what he did to that poor girl. I can’t believe anyone would want to go near that building never mind work in it.”

Linda Shanks said: “It should have been demolished.”

And Steven Harley agreed: “Pull it to the ground.”

A deli counter operating within Fleming Foodstore, which is separated from the former eatery by a small walkway, opened following the killer’s arrest three years ago.

The small premises is now doing so well its owner is looking to expand and has already purchased some of the items which were originally owned by the murderer, who rented the property for three years prior to his crime.

But, as the shop is attached to an out-of-use hairdressers and a thriving takeaway, it’s understood it wouldn’t be possible to raze the deli to the ground without causing potential structural damage to the Mr Tasty take-out.

The building’s owner, Mr Singh, said he hopes Paige’s family will approve of the plans but believes “things must move on”.

He said: “If [the Foodstore] want it, that could be a plan. Things have to move on … but nothing is in stone.

“If it doesn’t open as a deli, it’s going to open as something else because we’re losing money.

“It’s been three years, we can’t change the past. We’re very sorry about what happened to the girl but you’ve got to move on, we can’t leave it.”

He added: “We did have discussions with [the Foodstore] because they’ve got a deli inside the shop, it would make sense because they’re running the deli anyway.

“She’s trying to get the backing of the family and if everything’s fine, it will go ahead.”

Some readers accepted the space could reopen as a business, though not as a deli.

Callum Kent wrote on Facebook: “Life moves on. Has everyone thought of it this way the new people will want to earn money to feed their family?

“Everyone deserves a chance to run their business no matter where it is. Plus if every building was to get knocked down because a murder took place in it there’d be none left.”

And Bryan Morrison suggested: “Could it not be made in to a wee drop-in centre or something along those lines?”

The potential new tenant declined to comment.