Holbeach councillors urge Aldi to work with them to find suitable site for new supermarket

Supermarket bosses have been urged to work with councillors so that they can find a suitable site to open a store in Holbeach.

Aldi last week reiterated its desire to open in the town as part of its expansion plans.

It says it does not yet have a specific location secured, but claims to be looking in the Holbeach Clough area.

It is not clear if this simply means sites close to the A17 to the north west of Holbeach.

South Holland District Council deputy leader Nick Worth said he is not personally aware that Aldi had been in touch with the authority.

He said: “We have heard this from Aldi before - if they are serious about it they need to come and talk to us about it.

“I would welcome Aldi or any other store as it give people more choice.

“If it would help footfall in the town I would welcome it, but I would be intrigued to know where it is going.”

Fellow district councillor Graham Rudkin said it was vital to get the location right - and is concerned how roads in Holbeach Clough would cope with extra traffic.

He believes it would be better placed closer to the town to avoid taking trade away from existing retailers.

He said: “I think we need to look after independent traders. The high street, especially in Holbeach, needs support even more in these uncertain times.”

Aldi, which has a store in Spalding, is also hoping to expand into Bourne and Market Deeping.

A company spokesman said: “I can confirm that Aldi are currently looking for suitable locations as possible sites for new stores, but with stores not yet being confirmed, we can’t pinpoint the exact locations in each of these areas. If they do find a suitable site and are able to open a new store, each one would create around 30-35 new jobs.

“The sites that Aldi are looking for are around 1.5 acres and should be able to accommodate a 20,000 sq ft store with around 100 parking spaces, ideally on a prominent main road and with good visibility and access.”