Aldi lodges plans for new store on site of Walsall pub

It would also see the demolition of a warehouse used for the distribution of eggs and cheese and three houses as part of the development.

The company said it would ‘meet the needs’ of the local area and provide up to 50 new jobs in the process.

If it did go ahead, the new store would be just yards from a new Lidl, who won approval from planners in March this year to take over the Horse and Jockey pub site on the adjoining Walsall Road.

Opening times for the new store would be 8am to 10pm Mondays to Saturdays and 9am to 6pm on Sundays.

In its application, Aldi said the store would have a gross external area of 1,705 square metres and a net sales area of 1,195 square metres.

Walsall Council planners are expected to make a decision on the proposal in February next year.

Agents Avison Young said: “The application proposes the demolition of all existing buildings and structures on the site, and their replacement with a discount foodstore to be operated by Aldi Stores Ltd.

“The store will be single-storey and no more than 5.46m in height. It will face onto Lichfield Road and will be served by 109 parking spaces and a single point of access, which will replace the five access/egress points that serve the existing uses, and provide for all customer, staff and service trips.

“The store will meet the food shopping needs of the local community. It will cater for both ‘main’ and ‘top-up’ shopping needs and will provide the community with high-quality products at discounted prices. It will support up to 50 jobs in the operational phase.

On the loss of the Royal Exchange, they added: “We have considered the provision of public houses/bars within an approximate 1km radius of the site, which we think represents a reasonable distance that is likely to be “equally or more convenient” for those walking to the facilities depending, of course, on their starting location.

“Having done so we note that there are four public houses and two other drinking facilities within this area.

“It is arguable that more distant facilities would or could also represent convenient alternative provision given that some customers will travel by car or public transport, and we have noted that there are three additional ‘traditional’ public houses within a 2km radius of the site.”