Air ambulance swoops in to take on empty Aldi superstore
A FORMER Aldi supermarket in Derbyshire could soon be turned into a charity superstore and cafe that would raise vital funds for the region’s Air Ambulance Service after plans have been given the go-ahead.
This summer, the discount supermarket chain vacated its Nottingham Road store, in Somercotes, near Alfreton, to move into a brand new, purpose-built premises on a new retail park, just a short distance away.
At the same time, an application was submitted to Amber Valley Borough Council by the Air Ambulance Service to turn Aldi’s old premises into a charity superstore and café.
Now, the authority has given the green light for the charity to create what would be its first-ever “superstore”.
In a statement submitted as part of the application, Air Ambulance Service Trading said: “The current Aldi site meets all our requirements and is the perfect location for our first charity superstore.
“The layout of the store means there is little we have to alter, which helps reduce our costs on installing our look and feel. Shopping in a charity shop is “experience shopping”.
“Customers love the thrill of not knowing what they will find. We want to make that experience last longer by implementing our own branded café.
“This should help us not only attract more footfall but also benefit the retail units within the park, as their customers can also come in once they have finished shopping.”
According to the original planning application, the new superstore would incorporate a mix of its current shops, selling donated homeware, furniture, electricals and clothes.
There will also be a small in-store café called the Landing Pad.
The Air Ambulance Service covers Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Warwickshire and Northamptonshire.
It receives no government funding and relies solely on donations from the public and retail income to keep going.
The trading arm of the charity, known as Air Ambulance Service Trading, currently operates 56 shops, which generate valuable funds.
The Air Ambulance Service has also submitted a separate application for new signage for the building, which the borough council is currently considering.