GENSOCIAL
Rival supermarket chains Aldi and Lidl have been granted permission to build new stores on the same Staffordshire road.
The discount supermarkets both lodged plans to build new branches on Power Station Road in Rugeley.
And Cannock Chase Council’s planning committee approved both applications at a meeting last week – despite objections from fellow supermarket chains Tesco and Morrisons about the size of the stores and their impact on the town centre.
The plans will see Aldi relocate from its current branch on Market Street to the new site opposite Rugeley’s Tesco store, while Lidl wants to build a new store on vacant land off Power Station Road and to the south of the Aldi and Tesco stores.
Robin Williams, regional property director for Aldi, said: “Aldi has been trading from the existing Rugeley store since 2001. While it remains popular, it is outdated and no longer meets standards. The current store is too small and compared to newer stores car parking provision is relatively poor.
“We came to the conclusion there were no suitable viable sites to meet our needs in the town centre. The new Aldi site will provide a significant improvement in environment on Power Station Road and the replacement store will be larger than the existing store.
“The new site allows our customers to make linked trips to Tesco and other stores and services in town. It will be of potential benefit to the town centre as a whole and provide more employment opportunities for local people.” reports StokeonTrentLive.
Nick Hardy, an agent who spoke in support of the Lidl application, said: “The site itself will be simple and modern. The scheme will improve the appearance of the site and will also support up to 40 jobs.
“The application will provide a further discount food store for Rugeley, increasing consumer choice.”
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Rugeley councillor Alan Dudson welcomed the plans.
He said: “When these new stores are built they can only be an asset to the area.”
Councillor Adrienne Fitzgerald added: “I think this is great. It will offer an easier shopping option for people on the power station estate.
“I still think the town will be busy – there are lots of lovely shops in the town centre. I think this will be an asset and an improvement to the town.”
