A NEW ALDI FOOD STORE

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1 A NEW ALDI FOOD STORE FOR LIVERPOOL ROAD, BIRKDALE A NEW ALDI FOOD STORE FOR BIRKDALE Aldi, the award-winning discount food retailer, is keen to provide the local community with more shopping choice and is in the process of bringing forward a proposal for a new food store on the Trading Estate site,. The Trading Estate faces an uncertain future as it is now coming to the end of its economic life. Aldi s proposal will save the site from falling derelict and keep it in productive use. CGI of the proposed store The new store would sell a variety of highquality products at deeply discounted prices. Typically, Aldi customers can save 30% to 40% on their shopping when compared with the UK s larger national supermarkets this allows residents to purchase their everyday items at low prices, without having to compromise on quality. Aldi s proposal, which would represent a multi-million-pound investment in, would provide: A vibrant, modern, flagship food store Improved shopping choice for residents by providing a discount food offering, that currently lacks Access to high-quality, deeply discounted products Convenient access by foot and bus, and free customer car parking Up to 50 new jobs, as well as those created through construction and in the supply chain An alternative to the Aldi food stores in Meols Cop, which is around two miles away, helping people save on travel times and costs CGI of the proposed store BIRKDALE TRADING ESTATE The units on the Trading Estate will no longer be fit for let in their current state from 1 April After investigation, the costs associated with bringing the estate, which is already in need of investment, up to standard will simply not be viable. There have been recent reports of vandalism and break-ins on the site and if the Estate were to close, there is a real danger the area would become derelict and an eyesore. Aldi has had discussions with the landowner and has drawn up proposals to buy the site, subject to planning approval, in order to develop a flagship food store. As well as keeping the site in productive use, a new store in this location will also create around 50 new jobs and invest millions of pounds into the local economy.

2 THE PROPOSAL A NEW ALDI FOOD STORE The scheme would provide a new, flagship Aldi food store with a net sales area of 1,355m². It would stock the same range of high-quality, award-winning products found at other Aldi stores. The proposed floor space would mainly be for convenience and food goods, with a smaller range of non-food products, alongside service and staff areas. The proposal also includes a free customer car park and landscaping that would improve the appearance of the area. LOCAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES The proposal would create up to 50 permanent jobs, including managerial positions, which equates to a significant investment into the local economy. Aldi offers wages above the industry average and above the living wage. Employees have access to proven opportunities for career progression, high levels of training, and a guaranteed minimum of 20 hours work per week. Aerial view COMPLEMENTING THE LOCAL AREA Aldi stocks around 1,500 lines of products, which is in contrast to larger supermarket chains that can stock in excess of 40,000 lines. This modest size and the unique offering mean that Aldi stores do not act as a one-stop shop. Unlike other, larger retailers, Aldi stores do not feature in-house butchers, delicatessens or pharmacies, and therefore have a minimal impact on existing traders. Aldi is known for encouraging linked trips between its stores and other businesses in an area and, typically, Aldi customers will purchase value-for-money products and then go on to complete their weekly grocery shopping in other stores and specialist independent businesses in a local area. This means that Aldi foodstores often help boost local trade and regenerate local district centres by increasing footfall and keeping spend local.

3 HIGHWAYS AND CAR PARKING Proposed site plan ACCESS Access to the store for cars, bicycles and pedestrians would be provided from a shared access point on Liverpool Road. The site has good public transport links, with bus stops along Liverpool Road providing frequent services within walking distance of the proposed store. A Travel Plan would be introduced at the store to encourage staff to travel by more sustainable modes of transport than singleoccupancy car journeys. PARKING The customer car park would have room for 114 cars, which includes five dedicated spaces for those with disabled badges and six parent and child spaces. As part of Aldi s commitment to promoting sustainable modes of transport wherever possible, appropriate cycle parking would also be provided at the store. TRAFFIC A full Transport Assessment, looking at traffic conditions both with and without the proposed development, is being undertaken. DELIVERIES An Aldi food store is a modest-scale supermarket. As a result, an Aldi food store generally requires only three to four deliveries per day, supplemented by a milk delivery, unlike larger stores which require more vehicles per day. Aldi operates a closely managed servicing arrangement for each of its stores, and aims to complete store deliveries outside peak transport hours. All manoeuvring takes place within the site and a unique delivery ramp arrangement removes the need for external activity. This process is not only efficient, but also reduces any potential noise disturbance.

4 DESIGN AND LANDSCAPING DESIGN The aim of the proposal is to provide a high-quality and attractive development, creating a modern shopping environment for residents of and the surrounding area. Aldi has carefully developed its proposal to ensure the scale of the building is in keeping with those nearby, and fits alongside current developments in the area. The proposed Aldi store would be one-storey, with flat roofing across the whole of the development. A combination of materials, including brick and grey cladding, would be used in order to stay inkeeping with existing properties nearby. LANDSCAPING Aldi takes great pride in the style and design of its stores, with landscaping a key part of creating an attractive and welcoming environment. Aldi has given careful consideration to the landscaping on this development and proposes to plant trees, shrubs and grass verges at the edge of the site, which should be a significant improvement on its current state. The existing trees, where possible, will be retained or replaced to retain the natural screen in this location. Contractors visit Aldi stores monthly to maintain the landscaped areas and planting around the sites. Proposed elevations ENERGY EFFICIENCY To ensure a high-quality appearance over the long term and to minimise maintenance costs, Aldi uses quality materials on external and internal components of its buildings. Aldi is already meeting high standards of energy efficiency and is committed to responsible energy usage. Aldi only uses environmentally friendly, energy-efficient refrigeration and lighting. A heat recovery system from the refrigeration condensers provides almost all heating for the store, re-using wasted machinery heat. In addition solar panels will be installed on the roof, which would provide the store with a further proportion of its electricity needs.

5 LOCAL ISSUES ALDI IN THE COMMUNITY With around 600 stores across the UK, Aldi has extensive experience of developing stores that both complement local areas and actively engage with the communities they serve. As a result, Aldi has developed a number of neighbourhood friendly practices: Aldi aims for its store managers to be local, allowing them to react quickly and sympathetically to any local issues Fresh products are delivered to each store daily, using a unique delivery system that specifically limits the external movement of goods, ensuring minimal inconvenience to nearby properties and residents Unlike most supermarkets that operate extended or 24hr opening periods, Aldi stores typically open between 8am and 10pm Monday to Saturday with opening hours on Sunday between 10am and 4pm SCHEME BENEFITS Improved shopping choice for residents, introducing a high-quality, deeply discounted food offering Reducing the need to travel to busy Aldi stores in Meols Cop and Southport Up to 50 permanent full and part-time local jobs A significant investment into the local area Convenient access for residents, as well as free customer car parking The opportunity for linked trips between the proposed Aldi food store and other nearby local businesses

6 Aerial view

7 Proposed site plan