WORK has started to demolish a former car garage to make way for a new supermarket.
Demolition crews have moved onto the vacant Arnold Clark dealership on Europa Boulevard in Gemini.
The business announced its intention to vacate its old site in January 2020, and it has since moved across the road into the former Toys’R’Us unit.
Work begins to demolish the former Arnold Clark car dealership
The old site will be used to build a brand new Aldi supermarket – the chain’s fifth in the town alongside Stockton Heath, the town centre, Birchwood and Orford.
Plans for the new store were officially submitted to Warrington Borough Council’s planning department in April.
Work begins to demolish the former Arnold Clark car dealership
These plans were rubber stamped by the council in September, with the first stage of the process to regenerate the land now beginning.
The scheme proposes 125 car parking spaces, nine parent and child spaces, eight disabled spaces, 14 cycle spaces, four electric vehicle charging spaces and six motorcycle spaces.
Work begins to demolish the former Arnold Clark car dealership
Aldi previously said that the proposal would create up to 40 new full and part-time jobs at the store alone – which will be paid at an ‘industry-leading’ rate of £10.10 per hour as a minimum.
There would also be further employment opportunities during construction and via the supply chain.
Work begins to demolish the former Arnold Clark car dealership
It is hoped that the new store will be ready to open by September next year.
Speaking about why it wanted to open another store in the town, an Aldi spokesman said: “Aldi is thrilled with the popularity of its stores in the local area.
Work begins to demolish the former Arnold Clark car dealership
“However, with its closest store to the proposal site on Winwick Road accommodating more and more customers, Aldi shoppers are experiencing longer waiting times and a busy store.
“The approval of its application for Gemini Retail Park will allow Aldi to transform the shopping experience for the local community, provide greater choice and regenerate a vacant brownfield site.”
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