‘It’s great to see Aldi coming to town at last...’
Shoppers will no longer need to travel to Meir Park as new store is given go-ahead
AN Eagerly-anticipated new Aldi has been given the go-ahead.
The discount retailer is set to create up to 40 jobs with the opening of the Cheadle branch.
It means shoppers in the town no longer face an 11 mile round-trip to Meir Park to pick up groceries at their nearest Aldi.
District councillors paved the way for the store by unanimously approving an application to demolish buildings on the Brookhouse Way site to make way for the new store.
The vacant land was previously occupied by Industrial Agricultural Engineering, which has relocated to a new site in Stoke-on-trent.
Staffordshire Moorlands District Council received 21 letters supporting the proposals. Two objections raised concerns including noise and increase in traffic.
Cheadle Town Council welcomed the proposal and the benefits it would bring to the area.
Councillor Stephen Ellis, who spoke in support of the application, said: “Aldi came to the town council ahead of submitting the application and it is something that has been subject to a lot of debate in Cheadle – mostly about when Aldi is coming. I’m really pleased to see the application coming before members. We haven’t seen a new supermarket in Cheadle for a long time.”
Rebecca Dias, who also spoke in support of the application, said: “Many local people already travel to visit their nearest store in Meir Park.
“If this store is approved it will improve accessibility.
“A new Aldi will bring significant benefits to the community, including up to 40 new jobs. With the rising cost of living, the need for a new Aldi has never been greater.”
Cheadle district and town councillor Gary Bentley thanked Aldi representatives for consulting with the town council. He also called for improvements to bus services serving the town to help residents travel to the new store.
The council’s planning committee made the decision on Thursday.
Committee member Paul Roberts said: “It’s great to see Aldi is going to come to Cheadle at last. But I don’t think you can hold Aldi to ransom over a bus service.”
The new development will provide 134 car parking spaces, including six accessiblity spaces and four electric vehicle charging bays, as well as cycle parking. The store is set to open 8am to 10pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 5pm on Sundays and bank holidays.