New Aldi supermarket will be a major boost for the community

Members of the town council met with representatives from the discount supermarket chain last week.

And Aldi confirmed it was pressing ahead with plans for a new store at the town’s former fire station.

A spokesman said: “We have shared our plans with local councillors for the redevelopment of the old fire station and council car park.

“The car park itself will remain open for public use as per the current arrangements but will be free for Aldi shoppers.

“This is an exciting opportunity for Aldi to enter the town, and make use of an under used brownfield site.”

The fire station has been empty since firefighters relocated to a new facility on South Kirkby Business Park last January.

And South Elmsall and South Kirkby councillor Steve Tulley said plans for the Aldi were welcome news.

He said: “People have said that they are screaming out for a low cost supermarket in the community. So I think the plans are going to be welcomed by people who live here.”

He said he hoped the store would encourage more people to shop locally in the town.

“Market towns are suffering,” he said. “They are no longer the thriving towns they used to be. We hope the Aldi will bring more footfall into the South Elmsall community, onto our high streets and on to our market.”

Clare Baxter, town clerk at South Elmsall Town Council, added: “South Elmsall Town Council welcomes Aldi to the town. The development should create 36 new jobs, that pay well above the minimum wage, and will give local shoppers more choice.”