A VOW to deliver a new Aldi store which ‘contributes to the town centre’ has been made after the discount retailer revealed it had brought the Pershore Market site.
Years of speculation over the future of the town landmark came to an end last week when Aldi confirmed it had acquired the 2.33 acre complex in the heart of the town.
The site was put up for sale in 2019 by owners, the Mackaness family, with a price tag of £5.4million.
Rumours it would be bull-dozed to make way for an Aldi were dismissed earlier this year but a sale has now been agreed.
While Aldi have confirmed proposals for a new food store are ‘in progress’, trading at Pershore Market will continue for the rest of 2023.
Pershore Retail Market has been run by the Mackaness family, based in Northamptonshire, since 1967 and the family’s success has seen the market enjoy near full occupancy throughout.
Oliver Mackaness, director at Pershore Markets said: “We have always strived to do our best for Pershore Market, which was started by my father James more than 40 years ago.
“We have seen a number of traders depart us in recent years, with the difficult economic backdrop making it challenging for both traders and the market itself to operate a viable and sustainable business model.
“We feel it is time for the site to be given a new lease of life, and we feel that Aldi is the ideal business to deliver a store which meets the needs of modern-day Pershore.”
Simon Glover, real estate director at Aldi, said: “We are aware of the significant demand for an Aldi store in Pershore and we strongly feel that this site presents a unique opportunity to create a new supermarket in a town centre location for local residents.”
“We are keen to develop a scheme which positively contributes to the town centre and local community.
“We will therefore be involving local people throughout the planning process as we believe it is vital for the community to be given the opportunity to help shape the plans.”
Aldi will provide more details on their plans for Pershore as part of a public consultation launching in the coming weeks.
As part of the consultation, the local community will be invited to provide feedback on the proposals, which will be used to inform Aldi’s planning application to Wychavon District Council.
