Aldi reveals plans for new town centre store
HINCKLEY could be in line for a second Aldi supermarket after the food retailer announced plans for another store in the town were in their early stages.
Around 40 jobs are expected to be created from the multi-million pound scheme which would be developed on the former GR Bodycote site on Hollier’s Walk in the town centre.
Aldi released an impression of what the new store would look like as it invited the community to a public exhibition outlining the plans.
Company representatives will be answering questions about the plans at a public consultation exhibition on Wednesday August 23 at the Pathways Centre, Hinckley Baptist Church between 3pm and 7pm.
A spokesman said: “We are delight- ed to announce our proposals to develop a new Aldi food store at the Hollier’s Walk site, which will provide local residents with access to highquality produce at discounted prices.
“Our existing store in Watling Street is very popular and performing well.
“A new store in Hollier’s Walk would be more convenient for residents, and reduce pressure on our Watling Street store.
“This would improve the customer experience, and help to reduce travel times for those who currently travel out of the area to complete their weekly food shop.
“We now look forward to meeting residents, and hearing their views on our proposals.”
Announcing the plan, Aldi said the new store had been designed to fit in with its surroundings and con- tribute to the area’s appearance.
It said high-quality landscaping would also be used on the site.
The former GR Bodycote site has been unused since the 1990s when the textile factory closed.
For years the land has attracted litter while weeds have grown unabated leading to several calls for a cleanup of the land.
GR Bodycote was a textile firm founded by Arthur Bodycote in Hinckley in 1923 which had expanded to include three factories by 1951.
During the 1960s it became part of the Slater Group and a European leader in the textile industry sectors.
However by 1973 the company began to sell off its textile companies, redirecting its focus on specialist service industries in the metallurgical industry.