Plans for Aldi in Henley win shoppers' support

RESIDENTS have voiced their support for plans by budget supermarket Aldi to open a store in Henley.

The German operator is looking to open a store in Reading Road, which would mean a total investment of about £9 million and create around 40 new jobs.

Building supplies company Jewson, which currently occupies the site, is set to move to the former Gibbs & Dandy site further up the road.

A public meeting with the project team is set to be held at the town hall on Thursday and the scheme will need to secure planning consent before it can go ahead.

The Henley Standard took to the streets to talk to shoppers about the plans and many said they were in favour, saying lower prices for everyday goods and more jobs could boost the local economy.

However, some raised concerns about the impact another supermarket would have on independent retailers and whether the site would be more suitable for housing.

Kasia Caulfield, 45, a designer from Henley, said the news was “absolutely brilliant”. She said: “Henley should develop we should have an Aldi and lots of different shops. Why not? There are so many people here.

“Aldi have got good products, good prices. They are always nice. I shop in Waitrose but why not in Aldi?”

Fran Robinson, 57, a gardener from Henley, said it would be good to have a varied offering in addition to Tesco, Waitrose and Sainsbury’s.

He said: “I think it would be good competition for the other supermarkets, to be honest. I understand that the others are not too pleased but I think it'll work because there are a lot more people in Henley now.”

Anne Robertson who lives just outside of Henley said: “I think it's a great idea. I like Aldi. The champagne's good, isn't it?”

However, she added: “Although I don't like to take away too much competition from the local shops.”

Jackie Harris, a project manager from St Mark’s Road, said that she liked the idea but wanted a pedestrian crossing outside the proposed store for those on foot.

She said: “People that live on St Mark’s and St Andrews are all going to be trying to cross Reading Road and there’s not a crossing there for quite a way.

“It’s a shame there's no housing going in there. That's always an issue in Henley. But, overall, I am in favour of it.”

Kaley Edwards, 38, a visual effects producer for film who lives in Henley, said she was on the fence about the idea but that the supermarket could help those living on a tight budget.

She said: “It’s a slightly cheaper supermarket and that could be great for people. The cost of living currently is really expensive. I always end up in Waitrose and it is expensive in there.”

Nicholas Verge, 57, a retired geologist who lives in Middle Assendon, said it would be good for shoppers to have another option.

He said: “Waitrose is getting far too expensive now and Tesco's is too far out of town for most people, if you live on the west side of Henley or outside there. I think it'd be good.”

Elizabeth Whittingham, 52, who lives in Maidenhead but said she often shops in Henley, said: “I think Aldi would be good for Henley. It would bring more people into the town, which is important, and create jobs.”

But Susan Mervyn Jones, 81, who lives just outside Henley, said that she was against the plans. “There’s a big, huge Tesco's not very far away and there is a Waitrose,” she said. “I'd like more local shops rather than yet another supermarket.”

Aldi is holding a public consultation on its plans. A virtual exhibition is live online, which residents can access and provide feedback before the end of the month.

As part of the planning process, there will be a formal public consultation, which will include residents and Henley Town Council.

The supermarket will need to secure the approval of the planning authority, the South Oxfordshire District Council, should the scheme proceed.

Aldi has said its plans for the site would include “a highly sustainable new building” which would feature solar (PV) panels, air source heat pumps and 100 per cent LED lighting.

It added that the site would have free customer car parking spaces, with electric vehicle charging points in addition to “attractive landscaping”.

Mayor Tom Buckley said that he would appreciate the “extra competition” for the big supermarkets in the town.

He said: “My understanding is that Tesco and Waitrose bring in more revenue per sq ft than similar-sized stores in other areas, highlighting that both could provide better value.”

Mr Buckley added: “Aldi will definitely provide lower cost shopping to the town, an increased number of jobs and support for local suppliers in a way that the other two supermarkets may not be able to fully address.”

Emma Vanstone-Booth, co-chair of the Henley Business Partnership, said: “It’s our privilege to promote some of the smaller businesses locally.

“Our preference would certainly be to support local businesses and local producers but all of us are feeling the pinch and having the choice means that [other supermarkets] will sharpen their pencils to provide better services and products.”

Mrs Vanstone-Booth, who is a director at Philip Booth Esq estate agents, said that if the plans were to go ahead, she would love to see Aldi promote local producers. She said: “I only hope they [would choose to be] a proper part of the community and showcase local businesses.”

Henley town council’s former town centre manager Paul Carey said he thought the new store would be “fantastic”.

Mr Carey, who left the position at the end of last year, said: “I am really pleased. It’s well known as a budget store and I think it would really serve a large part of the community in Henley because we will have three completely different types of supermarket now.

“There are lots of people who will be very grateful for Aldi and they have some really good deals.”

Mr Carey said that he thought the impact on independent retailers would be minimal.

He said: “I think they are quite different things, the independent retailers with specialist products.

“It shouldn’t really tread on anyone’s toes.”

Aldi Real Estate Director Elliott Saunders said: “We are pleased to be bringing forward our proposals for a new Aldi store in Henley and invite the community to tell us their views.

“We encourage residents to participate in our consultation or attend our public exhibition to learn more about the scheme.”

The consultation ends on Thursday, January 29. To view the plans and provide feedback, visit www.aldiconsultation.co.uk/Henley