Aldi supermarket plans given green light (From Clacton and Frinton Gazette)

Aldi supermarket plans given green light

5:00pm Wednesday 27th February 2013 in News By James Dwan

CLACTON is set for a jobs boost after a new budget supermarket was given the green light.

The new Aldi store, at the Warwick Castle market site in Pier Avenue, could create as many as 30 jobs – and the company also says local builders will be used to construct the store.

Blueprints for the 1,475 sq m shop were approved by Tendring Council’s planning committee on Tuesday night.

It is hoped the supermarket will revitalise the “eyesore” site, which was home to Clacton’s market for more than 20 years.

Pier ward councillor Paul Honeywood said the new store would be a major boost for the town.

He said: “I’m really pleased that the plans have gone through - hopefully this will bring jobs to the area and it will also give more choice to shoppers.

“The store coming here will help to regenerate that area - it does need improving. I hope it will also bring more shoppers into the town.”

Planners said the store, opposite the existing Lidl budget supermarket, would address the “vitality and viability” of the town centre.

The planning committee's John White said they voted unanimously in favour of the supermarket.

“The Aldi manager said it will be up and running by Christmas,” he said.

“The plans were welcomed by the councillors as was the undertaking that the building will be built by local people.

“At the moment the hoardings are still up and the site looks run-down, but this will certainly tidy it up.”

The site's long-running market closed last year.