Aldi has announced a proposal to build a new £9 million supermarket in Upton, Wirral. The project, planned for Champions Business Park, is expected to create up to 40 new jobs and redevelop a vacant brownfield site.
The discount supermarket chain has initiated a public consultation to gather feedback from local residents before submitting a formal planning application to Wirral Council. The proposed location is at the junction of Arrowe Brook Road and Arrowe Park Road.
Key Takeaways
- Investment: Aldi plans to invest £9 million in the new Upton store.
- Job Creation: The supermarket is expected to create up to 40 new full-time and part-time jobs for the local community.
- Location: The proposed site is a vacant brownfield plot at Champions Business Park in Upton.
- Public Consultation: Aldi is seeking community feedback on the plans before submitting a formal application.
Details of the Upton Supermarket Proposal
Aldi has put forward initial plans to develop a new food store in Upton. The company argues that the new store would meet a growing local demand for high-quality, affordable groceries. According to the retailer, many residents currently rely on more expensive convenience stores, and a new Aldi would provide a significant alternative.
The proposed development would occupy a section of Champions Business Park that is currently a car park and an area of green space. Aldi states that the project represents a significant investment in the local economy and will bring a disused brownfield site back into productive use.
Project at a Glance
- Total Investment: £9,000,000
- Expected New Jobs: Up to 40
- Site Type: Brownfield Land
- Address: Champions Business Park, Arrowe Brook Road, Upton
Site Regeneration and Economic Impact
A key aspect of Aldi's proposal is the regeneration of what it describes as a "vacant brownfield site." Developing such sites is often encouraged in planning policy as it prevents the use of undeveloped greenfield land. The supermarket chain aims to transform the underutilised corner of the business park into a modern retail outlet.
The creation of up to 40 new jobs is another central feature of the plan. These roles would likely include a mix of full-time and part-time positions, offering employment opportunities for local residents. The investment is intended to stimulate the local economy beyond the initial construction phase.
Stephen Jones, real estate manager for Aldi, commented on the plans and their potential benefits for the area.
"We’re delighted to announce our plans for a new food store at this site in Upton. The site is ideally located with excellent accessibility for local residents, allowing us to bring our award-winning products to the area while redeveloping a strategic brownfield site, and deliver a discount food store that complements the existing highways network."
Addressing Infrastructure and Access
Aldi has confirmed that it has been working closely with Wirral Council's Highways officers to ensure the proposed store integrates safely with the local road network. Traffic impact is often a major consideration for new retail developments, particularly on busy junctions.
The design plans indicate that the main vehicle access to the supermarket car park would be from Arrowe Brook Road. The layout also includes dedicated loading bays for deliveries, designed to minimise disruption to customer traffic and the surrounding roads. Safe pedestrian access points are also incorporated into the preliminary designs.
These early consultations with highways officials are intended to address potential traffic concerns before a formal planning application is lodged, a crucial step in gaining council approval.
Public Consultation and Next Steps
Before moving forward with a formal planning application, Aldi has opened a period of public consultation. This process allows local residents, business owners, and other stakeholders to review the proposals and provide their feedback.
The company is encouraging people to share their thoughts on the new store. This feedback can sometimes influence the final design and layout of a project before it is submitted to the council for official consideration. Details of how to participate in the consultation are typically provided by the developer.
Once the consultation period ends, Aldi will review the feedback before finalising its plans and submitting them to Wirral Council’s planning department. The council will then conduct its own statutory consultation before the application is decided upon by the planning committee.
Previous Supermarket Plans in the Area
The proposal from Aldi is not the first time a budget supermarket has sought to build a new store in the Upton area. Rival chain Lidl previously attempted to purchase a site from Wirral Council located opposite the Upton police station.
However, in 2023, councillors voted to reject Lidl's plans. The primary reason for the refusal was cited as concerns over potential traffic congestion at a nearby roundabout. Despite the initial rejection, Lidl has since presented revised plans for a store in the area, indicating continued interest from discount retailers in Upton.
Aldi's chosen site at Champions Business Park is different from the one Lidl targeted, which may lead to a different outcome in the planning process. The company's emphasis on early engagement with highways officers suggests it is proactively trying to mitigate the types of concerns that led to the refusal of the previous Lidl application.