SUPERMARKET firm Aldi is planning to open a £7 million Wellington store after a years-long search for a suitable site.

The German retailer wants to build a 14,000 sq ft store outside the town on a site off the A38 Wellington Relief Road opposite the Westpark business park, Chelston.

It launched a virtual exhibition of its plans on Tuesday (April 22) and is asking people to share feedback on it by May 6.

An Aldi spokesperson said: “This will play a vital role in shaping the planning application we submit to Somerset Council in the subsequent months.

“Aldi is keen to consult with the community ahead of submission so that we can hear your views first hand and take those into account as we finalise our proposals.”

The proposed site outlined in red of an Aldi supermarket for Wellington. PHOTO: Aldi.
The proposed site outlined in red of an Aldi supermarket for Wellington. PHOTO: Aldi. ( )

The spokesperson said consultations were also being held with Wellington Town Council and parish councillors in West Buckland, within whose boundaries the site falls.

They said the company’s chosen site was underdeveloped and comprised disused private land which had long been allocated for commercial development.

The spokesperson said: “The proposed Aldi store will help to kick-start this development in the local area.”

They said the store would create up to 40 jobs and have 120 car parking spaces and eight electric vehicle (EV) charging points.

Staff, including store managers, would be recruited from the local area to help embed Aldi as part of the community, so they could ‘understand and respond to local issues’ more quickly and effectively, and to allow the team a better work-life balance.

A typical Aldi supermarket aisle. PHOT: Aldi.
A typical Aldi supermarket aisle. PHOTO: Aldi. ( )

The spokesperson said Aldi pay rates were significantly higher than the Government’s National Living Wage and above the Living Wage Foundation’s recommended rates, starting at £12.75 per hour.

A transport assessment was taking place which would look at how shoppers could access the supermarket by foot, bicycle, and public transport, as well as by car.

The spokesperson said: “It will also test what impacts the development might have on the local highway network and propose any improvements that may be needed to ensure the proposed food store does not have an unacceptable negative impact on the local road network.

“We have carefully designed our proposal to ensure the scheme would sit comfortably within its wider surroundings.

“Our proposal for the Aldi store will provide a high-quality and attractive scheme.

“All new Aldi stores include a range of embodied carbon reduction measures, including solar panels, air source heat pumps, and 100 per cent LED lighting.”

The proposed Wellington supermarket is part of a £1.4 billion, two-year UK expansion plan by Aldi, which last year was named as the country’s ‘cheapest supermarket’ by consumer champion Which?.

The spokesperson said: “Aldi focuses on quality rather than quantity, stocking a carefully selected range of groceries that shoppers need.

“This efficient approach allows Aldi to pass on savings to customers.”

Aldi’s announcement came as rival German supermarket Lidl celebrated the second anniversary of opening in Wellington, on a site off the Cades roundabout on the B3187 entrance to the town.

Aldi’s public consultation can be found online.