New Shropshire Aldi could be open by August
A former DIY centre on the outskirts of Newport is being stripped, ready to be turned into an Aldi store.
It's empty now – apart from the diggers and construction workers – but it is hoped that in eight months' time the site will be bustling with shoppers at Newport's new budget supermarket.
Work on the 1,745 sq metre store has finally begun at the former Focus store in Audley Avenue, which has been empty for about two years.
Aldi spokesman Dean Gallagher said: "Demolition works are now under way. We anticipate the store will open in August."
The supermarket chain, which has contributed towards a growing squeeze on the UK's big four supermarkets, held a recruitment drive in November and says it will hire up to 50 staff from the Newport area.
Patrick Beech, chairman of Newport Chamber of Commerce, said: "We have said as a group this is what we wanted, a low-cost supermarket in the town.
"We fought hard to get rid of Sainsbury's (in Station Road) and we have got what we wanted on a good site."
He added: "It will create jobs and footfall round there and it will complement Countrywide Stores. We hope that other firms will follow Aldi to the area. It is better than people going to Donnington, for example, to shop."
It is the first of a number of supermarkets proposed in and around the town during recent years to take shape.
Late last year St Modwen, Telford & Wrekin Council and Sainsbury's were forced to pull the plug on a three-year bid to build a Sainsbury's supermarket in Station Road. It is now proposed that site will be used for 120 houses.
Earlier this month an application for a Lidl at the Mere Park Garden Centre site on the outskirts of the town was rejected by Telford & Wrekin Council's planning committee.
Applicants Growing Enterprises Ltd, headed by Mere Park Garden Centre boss David Brierley, had hoped to build the Lidl on the Mere Park site.
Planners had recommended refusal because of concerns about building on green fields and access via public transport. An appeal on the refusal of the first application is now set to go ahead with the Planning Inspectorate.
Meanwhile, permission has already been granted for a supermarket to be built on Audley Avenue. It was given the go-ahead by the Planning Inspectorate in 2012. Telford & Wrekin Council has unsuccessfully appealed that decision twice. Morrisons had signalled an interest to move in but last year decided not to proceed.
