Supermarket group Aldi floats plan for £5m Formby store

Discount supermarket group, Aldi, has unveiled proposals for a new store on the Formby bypass, in North Liverpool, which involves around £5m of investment and will create up to 40 jobs.

The German retailer is considering bringing forward a planning application for the new store on brownfield land off the main route connecting Southport with Liverpool and is seeking the views of the public.

It is inviting the local community to view its plans online as well as hosting a public exhibition in Formby on Tuesday, January 17, at Formby Methodist Church, Elbow Lane, between 3-7pm.

Alternatively, the plans can be viewed online at aldiconsultation.co.uk/Formby where an online feedback form is available.

Aldi is looking to redevelop the site of the former commercial plant nursery/garden centre to the north of Moss Side in east Formby.

This closed a number of years ago, with some buildings demolished and some falling into disrepair.

The site currently has consent to store vehicles and also benefits from existing planning for residential development.

Bryn Richards, Aldi’s regional property director, said: “We are aware that Formby does not currently have a discount food store and have been looking to invest here for some time.

“We have identified a suitable site, but before we decide whether to invest here and progress a planning application, we need to understand if there is public support and local demand for our plans.

“With the current cost of living crisis, Aldi believes it has an essential role to play in providing access to high quality products at affordable prices. The plans represent a multimillion-pound investment that would create around 40 well-paid jobs and provide Formby residents with local access to a discount food store. If supported by the local community, Aldi will look to progress a planning application to Sefton Council in the coming months.”

The plans would also deliver a new signalised site access junction, as well as facilitating improvements to pedestrian and cycle connectivity from Formby to the site and countryside.

Aldi estimates that the proposals would save 206,225km in car travel per year, reducing CO2 emissions by around 32.74 tonnes per year.