Agenda item

Ciaran Aldridge, Regional Property Director, Aldi Stores and Scott Bryden, DSP Architects, to introduce the proposal

Ciaran Aldridge, Aldi Stores Ltd. and Scott Bryden, DSP Architects, informed the Committee of the proposals to build an Aldi store between where Kersall Road and Southglade Road join Hucknall Road.

The following points were highlighted:

(a)  a gap in provision for this type of store has been identified for the  Bulwell, Bestwood and Basford area. An Aldi store will provide shoppers with an alternative to Tesco;

(b)  as the popularity of Aldi has increased, the proposed store will be larger than many of the other Aldi stores in the City;

(c)  as with all Aldi properties, the store will be energy  'A' rated, may have solar panels, and is within easy walking distance for a large number residents;

(d)  the appearance of the store has been carefully considered, including  the visual impact of the store from the park, with the aim of producing  a 'quality and good value' image;

(e)  the landscaping around the store will be maintained and litter will be collected every day;

(f)  one of the concerns expressed by neighbouring property owners is  around the possible water shed onto gardens from the store and it’s car park. Aldi is working with residents to allay these concerns;

(g)  approximately 40 jobs are to be created by the new store, with above average wages paid and permanent contracts starting at 25 hours per week;

(h)  there have been concerns raised regarding the additional pressure on nearby road junctions when the store attracts additional traffic, but it is not predicted that there will be a substantial increase in local traffic as most trade will be passing anyway; 

The Committee's questions were answered as follows:

(i)  Aldi does not operate zero hour contracts;

(j)  traffic assessments will be completed by the City Council as part of the planning application consideration;

(k)  articulated HGVs will deliver stock to the store twice a day, unloading  into an enclosed  'loading pod' which is level with the floor of the lorry to reduce the noise of cages being moved;

(l)  there is no specific policy to employ local people but it usually happens naturally;

(m)  with a starting point of £9 per hour, Aldi pays well above the minimum and living wages as it wants efficient, loyal, long term staff;

(n)  the store is proposed to operate from 8am until 10pm Monday to Saturday and 10am until 4pm on Sunday;

(o)  with regard to alcohol sales, Aldi has an alcohol sales policy and works closely with the Police;

(p)  the existing businesses on the site will be relocating and, apparently, there are no planned job losses as a result.

The concerns of some community representatives continued regarding the potential interruption of Hucknall Road traffic, especially during busy times when it's very difficult to turn across the oncoming traffic into Kersall Drive. With the new store, traffic could be further disrupted by shoppers coming from the same direction trying to turn into the store.

The Chair requested that citizens with any concerns on traffic access and flow, forward them to the Traffic Management Team and that Aldi representatives consider the concerns of citizens when they meet with the Traffic Management Team next week.

Many citizens welcomed a new Aldi store in the area.

RESOLVED to record the thanks of the Committee to Ciaran Aldridge and Scott Bryden for their attendance and discussion.