Aldi has been given the green light to open a new store in Rye, with local rival Jempson’s vowing to maintain its focus on local suppliers and home-made products.
Rother District Council’s planning committee voted unanimously in favour of the proposal on 12 February, clearing the way for the discounter to open on Rye’s Winchelsea Road trading estate.
As part of the approval, Aldi has committed to funding improvements to the local infrastructure, including new bus stops, enhanced bus services, and upgraded pedestrian walkways to better connect the store with the town centre.
Construction is understood to get underway later this year, although the store’s official opening date has not yet been confirmed.
Jempson’s, which operates a supermarket in Rye in partnership with Morrisons, had objected to the proposals, warning that the new Aldi could divert footfall from the town centre and reduce linked spending at local shops and cafés.
The retailer, which operates seven other supermarkets and convenience stores across Kent and Sussex, said it would also cut the turnover at its Rye town centre store by around 50%.
MD Stephen Jempson told The Grocer that while he was disappointed with the result, it meant the business could now “prepare for the future with certainty as we know what to expect”.
“Rest assured, our ongoing commitments to our all suppliers, whether local or national, will not change,” he said. “All our colleagues at Jempson’s remain committed to serving our customers with the highest standards of customer service in all our outlets. This will not change.
“We remain focused to bringing the best value local and home-made food to our customers, that this special part of Kent and Sussex can offer.”
An Aldi spokesman said: “We’re delighted that Rother District Council’s Planning Committee has unanimously approved the plans for a new Aldi store on Winchelsea Road, following a strong recommendation of approval from planning officers. We want to extend our sincere thanks to the people of Rye for their support throughout this process.
“We look forward to continuing work to deliver the comprehensive redevelopment of this site – delivering a new Aldi food store, new homes from Decimus Property and McCarthy Stone Retirement Living apartments. We hope to get started on site later this year.”
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