Plans for a new Aldi supermarket in Ryde have come under fire from rival retailer Lidl, which has formally objected to the proposals as it looks to build a competing store just across the road.
Lidl has, for the first time, confirmed that it intends to build a store as part of the long-stalled Pennyfeathers development on the southern outskirts of Ryde. It would be their third on the Island, joining existing stores in Shanklin and Newport.
But unlike Aldi, which launched a public consultation and submitted a formal planning application this Summer, Lidl has yet to take any concrete steps to progress its plans.
In an objection submitted to the Isle of Wight Council, Lidl claims that granting permission could put the viability of their own proposed store – and the wider Pennyfeathers development – in jeopardy:
“It is probable that permitting a new standalone store on the application site would have an impact on planned investment and investor confidence for Pennyfeathers, as the viability of Lidl’s planned store on Pennyfeathers would be put in doubt if permission is granted for a competing store almost opposite.”
They also say:
“The plans for Pennyfeathers are expected to come forward within a reasonable period of time.”
Refreshed plans for Pennyfeathers were revealed in July 2024 – nearly 18 months ago – with a formal application expected to be submitted by September 2024. That never happened, and more than a year later, there is still no application on the table.
Despite being in development discussions for over 18 years, the site off Brading Road remains untouched.
Lidl previously looked at building a store in Ryde back in 2016, on the site of Staddlestones Garage, but those plans also failed to materialise.
The objection from Lidl is being seen by some as an attempt to delay or derail Aldi’s progress, perhaps sour grapes at being beaten to the punch.
Aldi’s proposal to build on the site of the former Neutrik factory on Brading Road/Cothey Way now lies in the hands of Isle of Wight Council planners, with a decision expected by the end of the year.
Why not build both, most numpties go to Tesco anyway,
so what’s the point.
Lol
Sooner have fields and trees but that might just be.
Don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what Lidl want’s till Aldi. They’ll pave outer Ryde and put up a German shop.
Surprised in these days of Reform that they are not storming the aisles of Lidl and Aldi in their FAKE BRITISH MG cars and NOT EAST EUROPEAN EUROPEAN Dacia (Which all the Reform Crew seem to drive) demanding that these foreign shops are all CLOSED and replaced with nice British Kwiksaves (Which all of them used to shop in in the 1970’s)