German discount chain Aldi has confirmed it is reviving plans for a half-a-million square foot distribution depot in Kent. If approved the new facility would create at least 400 jobs.
The Isle of Sheppey site, near Neats Court, was named by the retailer last December as heading a short list of areas being considered for its South East expansion. Other towns on the list are Chatham, Faversham and Whitstable.
Previous plans for a regional headquarters and distribution centre on the holiday island came to nothing. Aldi acquired the plot — part of the £400m Queenborough and Rushenden Regeneration scheme — almost ten years ago and in 2007 promised at least 250 new jobs. That scheme was scrapped three years later.
Aldi’s revived and enlarged project is undoubtedly linked to its increasing popularity with British shoppers and its £600m investment in building a 1,000 store UK network by 2022 employing at least 35,000 staff. As part of that rolling expansion Aldi is opening one store a week in this country.
Headquartered in Germany, the 1946-founded supermarket chain currently has 9,000 stores in more than 18 countries. Its reported turnover is at least £39bn.
“We obviously think it will be great news for the Island and it will be good locally for employment,” commented Swale Borough Council regeneration director, Pete Raine.
He said the authority was expecting a planning application shortly and would be encouraging Aldi to use local labour as much as possible. “I’m very happy to say that as a council, subject to planning, we obviously think it will be great news for the Island and it will be good locally for employment,” Raine added.
Traditionally tight-lipped about its detailed plans, Aldi has refused to comment on the progress of its new logistics base. However, groundwork on the site has already started.
If the scheme goes ahead, it will mean that around 800 jobs will be created in northern Kent over the next year or so. Last week Poundland opened a store in the nearby Neats Court retail development, creating 24 jobs, and a Sports Direct branch will open on the development ahead of a planned next phase which also includes a Marstons’ pub.
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