New Aldi approved in market town, despite concerns

Councillors backed the plans for the new Aldi, which is illustrated in this artist's impression

Plans for a new supermarket in a Lincolnshire town have been approved, despite concerns over its impact on other businesses.

West Lindsey District Council's planning committee approved a proposal to bring Aldi to Market Rasen during a meeting on Wednesday.

The development, off Gallamore Lane, also includes a drive-thru Starbucks, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Property developer and applicant Morbaine said it would bring healthy competition to Tesco - the town's only superstore.

The group's planning director Keith Nutter said there was overwhelming support for the proposals, which he said would be “beneficial to the local community”.

Residents currently needed to drive to either Lincoln or Louth to visit an Aldi, he added.

Ward councillor Moira Westley also voiced her support for the scheme.

“As our town expands in size, it is vital that our services expand along with it and that includes our retail outlets and experiences.

“We believe that it would provide healthy competition, which will in turn result in a more affordable shopping experience for our residents as well as those from the wider area passing through.”

'Kill off small businesses'

However, local business owner Matthew Horsfield wrote to express his concerns about how the development could pull more visitors away from the High Street, which he said "already has plenty of coffee shops and food retailers”.

This view was shared among some other members, including councillor Tom Smith, who acknowledged that the High Street “has been struggling for a number of years”.

The proposal attracted a wide range of comments on the council's planning portal, including from those who supported the scheme.

However, opponents said it would impact other retailers.

One person wrote: "Market Rasen already has a Tesco and a Co-op - it does not need an Aldi.

"Putting an Aldi in town will only kill off the last remaining small businesses."

In 2012, Market Rasen was one of 12 Portas Pilot towns to get a share of £1.2m, together with advice from retail expert Mary Portas.

It was part a government-backed scheme to revitalise high streets to attract people back to local shops.

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