Aldi cash offer if Newport store plans win go-ahead

The German company has asked for a meeting with town councillors to discuss where it could plough money if its proposed store in Audley Avenue, on the former Focus DIY site, is given the go-ahead.

Developers are obliged to pay for necessary improvements including work to roads.

But they can also be asked to pay for other things to help mitigate the impact of the development. Aldi representatives met members of Newport Town Council, and representatives of the Chamber of Commerce, Newport Regeneration Partnership, Save Newport Campaign Group and the Town Team recently.

Suggestions were made, including money to improve the upstairs of the 19th century Market Hall, which has not been used for about 14 years, paying for a manager to oversee business in the town centre and a recycling centre to replace the council skips at Springfield Industrial Estate which closed last year.

Councillor Tim Nelson, chairman of Newport Town Council's planning committee, said: "There was a fairly open discussion and a shopping list of the benefits that could accrue from such a development."

He added: "They said they'd have a sum of money to be spent, and if you don't ask, you don't get."

Aldi confirmed that there would be some cash available for community use if its store is given the go-ahead.

Meanwhile, Newport Town Council has objected to plans for a Lidl supermarket on the fringes of the town, believing that the Aldi plans are in a better location. Lidl wants to open a discount food store at Mere Park Garden Centre in Stafford Road.

Both applications have been submitted to Telford & Wrekin Council for consideration.

Councillor Tim Nelson, chairman of Newport Town Council's planning committee, said: "We decided that the Lidl application should be refused. Members were of the view that there is a sequentially preferable site that has a discount food store proposed on it."