Business owners in Market Deeping back plan for Aldi supermarket over Lidl
Shop and business owners are opposing plans for an 'out-of-town' supermarket.
A joint letter signed by 18 traders in Market Deeping has been sent to South Kesteven District Council's planning committee.
The traders are against a Lidl supermarket being built in Peterborough Road and instead favour proposals for an Aldi at The Deeping Centre off Godsey Lane.
The letter says: "An out-of-town Lidl supermarket would harm our livelihoods. It would draw footfall away from the town centre. It would decrease passing trade to the town’s many small businesses."
The letter reminds the committee: "Policy DEP2 in the council’s local plan specifically says that 'out of centre locations will only be considered if sequentially preferable sites are not available'.
"A town centre site is available for an equivalent store at The Deeping Centre."
Businesses represented by the letter are Animates Vets, Riverside Beads and Crafts, Chester’s Tearooms, The Cigar Shop, Deeping TV, The Little Sewing Shop, Fillers Sandwich Bar, The Stage, Godsey Lane Coffee, Willow and Grace Bridal, Iron Horse Ranch House, Penny at Callows Barber Shop, Pets Pantry, Linford’s Fish and Chip Shop, Private Kollection, Manna Flowers, Ooh la la Beauty and The Deeping Centre.
Aldi held a public consultation in April about its plans to redevelop part of The Deeping Centre. It has not yet submitted a planning application to South Kesteven District Council.
Lidl has been contacted for a response to the open letter.
