Find out which Shropshire Aldi store is planning to give customers a FREE bus service
Bosses behind plans for a new out-of-town supermarket in Shropshire said they would provide shoppers with a free bus to take them from the town centre to the store.
A planning application has been submitted to build the Aldi store off Wrexham Road, Whitchurch, which is currently out for consultation.
The proposed store, which would create up to 40 jobs, has already received objections from local residents, councillors and the Canal and River Trust.
Last month bosses behind the Lidl store in Whitchurch town centre said a new Aldi supermarket off Wrexham Road could put them out of business.
Aldi has now announced it will provide a free shopper bus to enhance the accessibility of its proposed food store.
The service, which would provide access to and from the store and the town centre via the town’s residential areas, would run every Wednesday and Friday.
Its purpose is to encourage linked trips between town centre shops and the store, providing the local community with a convenient way to access the retail offer in Whitchurch.
Aldi said should the store application be approved, they will also promote the town centre and support local businesses with support to the town centre management team, information boards and directional signage along the canal towpath.
They said they will also install an information board at the new store to promote local events and other information for residents and visitors to the town.
A spokesperson for Aldi said: “We are committed to being a good neighbour, and work closely with local communities and businesses to ensure that our new stores demonstrate a positive impact for shoppers and local traders.
“The shopper bus is just one of a number of community support initiatives that we are keen to offer residents in Whitchurch, should our application be approved.”
Aldi also said the building had been designed to respect the appearance of the surrounding area and it would feature a mono pitch roof with a two-storey frontage, reducing to a single storey at the rear of the building.
Aldi has also revealed 69 per cent of people have so far welcomed the proposal. It follows a public exhibition where the firm invited more than 4,600 local residents and businesses to attend to view the plans.
Residents with any questions about the application are invited to call Aldi’s Freephone information line on 0800 085 7040, or visit the dedicated project website at www.aldiwhitchurch.co.uk
