Plans for new Aldi store in Mayo prompts mixed reaction

There has been a mixed reaction in Swinford to the news that the German retail chain Aldi is seeking planning permission to develop a single-storey supermarket at Newpark.

The proposed premises will include a foodstore, off-licence and an overall floor area of 1,908 square metres including a retail area with a plant room, warehouse area and freezer store of 1,356 square metres. The new supermarket will be located on a site near the existing Tesco supermarket and will be served by 112 car parking spaces, including seven disabled-accessible spaces and four electric vehicle bays.

Some concerns have been raised locally that the Newpark location already has a lot of traffic, while there are also fears that the town centre will suffer if this development goes ahead.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Adrian Forkan said there are positives and negatives to a new Aldi supermarket and the employment it would offer.

“There is a process there and it is there for a reason and people who want to object to it or people in favour of it can have their say,” he added.

Cllr Forkan said that if Aldi is granted permission then there needs to be "a level playing field" for smaller shops in the town centre. 

“The council have compulsorily acquired large amounts of land in the middle of Swinford town to develop car parking and a car parking site, that has to be developed as soon as possible with the likes of these guys coming in,” he added.

Sinn Féin local election candidate John Sheahan said he is very concerned about the impact the new supermarket would have on footfall in the town centre. 

“When Tesco came to Swinford a number of years ago it took a lot of footfall out of the town centre and obviously if there is an Aldi across the road (that will add to that),” he said. “With the cost of living crisis, a lot of people may welcome that but I’d be very concerned about the three grocery businesses in the town and people in the food trade and the negative effect it may have on them.” 

Cllr Sheahan said they are family-run businesses that have been operating in the town centre for generations.

Submissions may be made in writing to Mayo County Council within five weeks of receipt of the application by the local authority.