Supermarket wars have broken out in Market Deeping with residents divided between competing plans for a Lidl and an Aldi.
Traders warned that Lidl’s proposal for an ‘out of town’ supermarket on Peterborough Road could do severe damage to the town centre.
South Kesteven District Council is likely to reject the multi-million-pound plans when they come before the planning committee next week.
Meanwhile, Aldi launched a consultation for a competing store last month on land next to the Deepings Centre.
A group of 18 traders have come together to warn the Lidl development “poses significant and irreversible damage to the town centre.
“A town centre site is available for an equivalent store at the Deepings Centre. The owner of the Deeping Centre has said that they could develop the site, and Aldi have announced that they would build a new store there.
“This would support town centre businesses, as people would link trips to other shops, pubs, cafés, and restaurants when they visit Aldi for groceries.
“Market Deeping welcomes a new discount food store, particularly as people try to manage the rising cost of living. But we can have either an Aldi that will support the town centre, or an out of town Lidl that would harm it.”
The layout of the new store planned for the town | Photo: Aldi
However, there have also been dozens of comments from residents who support the Lidl, saying it would offer choice and good value for customers.
The Lidl scheme would create a 2,277 square foot shop and 40 jobs, with parking for 128 cars.
Council officers say that the Lidl store shouldn’t be given the go ahead when there is a suitable site available in the town centre which could be built on.
It would also have a “prominent, unattractive visual impact” impact on the area, particularly for people entering the town from the A15.
There currently aren’t any budget supermarkets in Market Deeping, forcing shoppers to travel further afield.
The Aldi consultation was welcomed by councillors, with councillor Ashley Baxter saying the development would “be the making of Market Deeping town centre.”
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