By Martin Walker
The owners of Newton Aycliffe town centre have confirmed work will finally start on the new Aldi store later this month.
But construction of the eagerly-awaited supermarket, which will create 15 new full-time jobs, is expected to take about eight months – meaning it’s unlikely to open this year.
The new store, on Greenwell Road opposite Tesco, is the latest phase in Freshwater’s plans to regenerate Aycliffe shopping centre.
A computer-generated image of the new shop is pictured above
It has been heavily delayed due to long-running disputes between utility companies over the ownership of underground pipes – pegging it back by at least six months.
The development will incorporate additional parking for 74 cars and will open up a new entrance route to the town centre, which is hoped will eventually attract other high street retailers to the town.
Local MP Phil Wilson (pictured next to the Aldi site below) has been very supportive of the proposed development.
He said: “This is good news for Newton Aycliffe. We’ve waited a long time for this day, but I’ve always been confident it would come and I’m looking forward to further improvements.
“The creation of 15 new jobs on the town is more than welcome.”
Town centre manager Bryan Haldane said: “Local shoppers and retailers are really looking forward to the new store opening and expect that Aldi will provide much-needed competition for the existing Tesco in the town centre.”
Andrew Thomson at Freshwater added: “The £1.5m development marks another milestone in the regeneration of the town centre following the recent opening of a Wilkinsons store and the relocation of the library.
“The new development will also provide the impetus for the subsequent regeneration of Beveridge Way in 2013 following grant of planning consent for the £2m public realm improvement scheme.”
Bowmer & Kirkland have been appointed to carry out the Aldi development which is being project managed for Freshwater by GVA. Smith Price and Bisham Asset Management advised Freshwater whilst Latham Proctor advised Aldi.