Aldi seeks approval to extend shop and add charging bays for electric cars
Local Democracy Reporter
AN Aldi in Howdon could be extended in a bid to modernise the supermarket.
The German retail giant has asked North Tyneside Council for permission extend its Tynemouth Road branch.
If the proposals are approved, an extension would be put up at the south of the store to create additional sales space.
Meanwhile an extension to the north west corner of the shop is expected to create a staff room and a meeting room, while an external lobby would be put at the front of the store.
These extensions would create a further 351sqm of space.
Finally, four charging bays for electric vehicles would be installed in the car park.
This comes as the retailer starts work on a brand new store in North Shields.
Construction is taking place on the site off Hawkeys Lane and the company has said it is due to be complete by the summer, although an exact date has not been confirmed.
As well as the new North Shields site, the firm has refurbished an existing shop at Carley Hill Road in Sunderland.
A planning document submitted to the council said the overhaul was proposed for the Howdon branch, which opened its doors in 1998, to bring it up to date with newer stores. It said: “When looking at stores that have been open for a number of years, the shopping environment must be consistent with the shopping environment of that being provided in newly developed stores.”
If the plans are approved the additional floor space would be used to accommodate more tills, chillers, and increase aisle space to improve circulation for customers and help the shop operate more efficiently.
The document added: “Aldi as a business must remain competitive in the market and this store needs to be improved to remain competitive by meeting the expectations of existing customers.”
Currently 25 people work at the Howdon branch, and the retailer says the extension would create five more jobs.
The council is expected to make a decision on the proposals by the end of April.