Aldi stores will bring new jobs

A new supermarket has been given the go ahead in Whittlesey, which will create up to 40 new jobs for the town.

Planning permission for the new Aldi was granted on Friday, and it is hoped work will start next year to build the new store.

Campaigners have been calling for a supermarket in the town for many years, with residents having to travel to Peterborough or March to visit the nearest large branch of any major chain.

However, while planning permission has been granted, there is still a wait before work can begin, while a decision is made on a 203 home development in the town.

A spokesman for Aldi said: “The proposal will bring 30-40 jobs. The store size is 1315sqm net. It is intended to start works later this year, the store delivery is also dependant on the BDW site next door gaining planning approval.”

Cllr Chris Boden, leader of Fenland District Council said; “For at least 10 years, residents in Whittlesey have been waiting to get a new supermarket. Today, I’m delighted to see that FDC’s Planning Department has granted planning permission for the proposed new supermarket on Eastrea Road.

“There’s long been a complaint of lack of real competition between the stores in Whittlesey - this new supermarket will ensure that shoppers get a real choice locally. As a local ward councillor in Whittlesey I know that there’ll be a great deal of local satisfaction with today’s news.

“Once we get our new supermarket there’ll be less need for people to have to travel into Peterborough, March or Cardea. I very much look forward to the speediest possible opening of the new store.

“Let’s hope that this grant of planning permission brings to an end the highly unsatisfactory ‘supermarketgate’ affair. Whittlesey and its villages are large enough to justify a new supermarket - now we just need to see the supermarket built.”

Meanwhile, plans for a new Aldi in Market Deeping which could create 40 new jobs have been revealed.

The discount supermarket is now asking residents for their views on the plans, which also include a 138-space car park.

The proposals would redevelop land off Godsey Lane in Market Deeping, with a new food store and two further retail units.

Aldi say there is a lack of discount food store options for residents in the area, leaving customers no choice but to travel further afield for their weekly shopping.

Aldi’s proposals represent a multi-million-pound investment and will cut down travel times, which they say would help to retain spending in the town centre.

The planned new store would have a net sales area of 1,315m2, with 138 car parking spaces that would be free for 90 minutes.

Aldi’s Regional Property Director, Richard Thompson, said: “We’ve been looking for opportunities to invest in Market Deeping, prompted by the local demand identified in 2020 through our consultation on the new store in Stamford. Suitable town centre locations like this are hard to come by and we have an opportunity to lead wider redevelopment of the site.”

If approved, the store would create up to 40 new full and part-time jobs.

How the Whittlesey store might look.