A new supermarket on the site of a former drinks factory will become the city’s first Aldi, bosses have confirmed.
KentOnline revealed last week how revised proposals to transform the 11-hectare former Silver Spring Mineral Water Company in Folkestone were waved through by councillors.
Plans submitted by Channex Project Ltd included a then unnamed supermarket and two new drive-thru restaurants for the site on Park Farm Industrial Estate.
Now Aldi bosses have announced they will be running the store, which will be the first of its kind in Folkestone, after much speculation from residents.
The proposals were unanimously adopted by Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) councilors at a planning meeting last week.
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However, planning commission members were concerned about increased traffic, pollution and safety in the area.
In 2018, two mid-range hotels – possibly an Ibis and a Hampton by Hilton – were earmarked for the so-called ‘Folkestone Gateway’ development.
But plans for the land, close to the Channel Tunnel terminal, were scrapped after the Covid pandemic blew a hole in the business case.
Landowner Channex Project Management Ltd, which acquired the plot from previous developers Ravensbourne Investments, changed plans in 2022 to include a mix of retail, food and business units.
And the developers then made even more adjustments, including the addition of the Aldi store and an additional drive-thru restaurant.
The large site has been empty for more than ten years after the former beverage factory was demolished.
Despite the concerns, FHDC members voted unanimously in favor of the development, but requested additional landscaping in the parking lot.
Aldi’s announcement comes as bosses revealed which towns in Kent the German discount retailer is eyeing as potential locations for new stores.
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The chain has selected Chatham, New Romney and Tunbridge Wells as ‘priority areas’ in the region where it hopes to build new stores.
Bosses say they have received more than 4,000 submissions after calling on the public to contact them with suggestions as they look to continue the “rapid expansion” across the country.
Jonathan Neale, managing director of national real estate at Aldi UK, said earlier this week: “We want to make high-quality food accessible to everyone, but we can’t do that while there are still some towns and areas that aren’t doing it. I don’t have an Aldi or the capacity for additional stores.
“We recognise that there is a huge demand for more stores in certain regions, which is why we have decided to ask the public for input on our latest list of priority locations.
“They have helped us identify where demand is greatest and we will continue to work to bring Aldi to as many people as possible.”
The new Aldi in Folkestone will be 1,858 sq m, with drive-thrus locations ranging from 165 to 230 sq m.
Planning documents submitted to the FHDC include proposals for five business units and a hardware store.
It is not yet known which companies will take over the others, but Channex Project Management Ltd says the development would “improve the quality of life for residents”.
The developers say the impact on Folkestone town centre has been assessed and “recognised as not being an obstacle to this application or the future development of the site”.
A spokesperson told KentOnline last month: “Residents will have easier access to a wider range of groceries and everyday essentials, potentially reducing the distance they have to travel to shop.
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“The new facilities will create employment opportunities, both during the construction phase and during ongoing operations, and will provide local jobs in a variety of functions, such as retail, management and customer service.
“The development could boost the local economy by attracting more visitors to the area, which could also benefit nearby businesses.”
Park Farm Industrial Estate is already home to a McDonald’s, Sainsbury’s, Homebase, Pets at Home and Home Bargains.
Silver Spring, which had been operating in Folkestone since 1888, fell into administration in 2013 and the building was demolished a year later.
Since 1970 the company has been based on the Park Farm estate.