New Aldi store proposed for West Kirby

Sep 17 2008 by Laura Jones, Hoylake and West Kirby News

ALDI is set to unveil initial proposals for a new store in Bridge Road, West Kirby.

Confirming its interest in the town, the supermarket has ended months of speculation with the announcement of a public exhibition.

The event, on Thursday, September 18, will take place at St Andrew’s Church Hall, Graham Road, between 4 and 8pm.

Mark Hewlett, Aldi property director, said: “We’re holding this open day to show people what we are proposing for West Kirby and how it would fit into the town.

“We’ll have samples of products available at Aldi for people to try alongside plans for the store itself including our detailed study work on traffic and need.

“We have invited more than 500 people and we look forward to discussing the proposals with residents and users of the town centre.”

However, some people in West Kirby remain sceptical.

The website of community group West Kirby Renewal, which opposes the development, said: “The store is bound to cause controversy in the current climate of concern that supermarket expansion has gone too far, and that more small local businesses will have to close.

“Another concern is the increased dependency on food from other regions of the UK and from abroad, at a time when many are advocating locally grown produce because it provides jobs within our local environment and keeps the economy of Wirral healthy.”

Aldi has set up an information line about the proposals on 0800 298 7040.