Aldi’s proposals to build a new neighbourhood food store on an area of land at Spithead Business Centre in Lake have recently been granted approval by the Isle of Wight Council’s planning officers and now plans are full steam ahead to open the store.
The decision to approve the plans for a new 1,140sqm store, the second on the Island, follows months of consultation with the community and local representatives, which resulted in hundreds of supportive comments on file, as well as support from Lake Parish Council and Shanklin Town Council.
The approved plans will deliver a brand new food store on currently unused land at Spithead Business Centre off the mainland Newport-Sandown road and will include 97 car parking spaces. Up to 40 full-time and part-time jobs will be created.
Despite local rumours of the firm pulling out of the deal, the supermarket chain say they are 100% dedicated to bringing a store to Spithead, although no proposed start date or opening date has been set.
Island Echo has been investigating the story since November 2013 and exclusively revealed in September last year the supermarket’s plans. In January Aldi confirmed their plans.
Phillip Warner, Aldi Property Director, said:
“We are delighting that planning officers have taken the decision to approve this application, as we believe there is a real need to see improved customer choice and competition int he area. our plans have been overwhelmingly well-received locally and we’d like to thank those we provided us with their feedback and made their known to the Council”.
