A new supermarket on the site of a former drinks factory will become a town’s first Aldi, bosses have confirmed.
KentOnline revealed last week how reworked proposals to transform the 11-acre former Silver Spring Mineral Water Company in Folkestone were waved through by councillors.
The plans submitted by Channex Project Ltd included a then-unnamed supermarket and two new drive-thru restaurants for the plot on Park Farm Industrial Estate.
Now, bosses at Aldi have announced they will run the store, which will be the first of its kind in Folkestone following much speculation from residents.
The proposals were unanimously passed through by councillors at Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) during a planning meeting last week.
However, members of the planning committee raised fears over increased traffic, pollution and safety in the area.
A pair of mid-range hotels – potentially an Ibis and a Hampton by Hilton – had been earmarked for the so-called ‘Folkestone Gateway’ development in 2018.
But the 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 the plans in 2022 to include a mix of retail, food and business units.
And the developers then made further tweaks which included the addition of the Aldi store and an extra drive-thru restaurant.
The large site has been empty for over a decade after the former drinks factory was demolished.
Despite the concerns, FHDC members unanimously voted in favour of the development but requested extra landscaping in the car park area.
The announcement from Aldi comes as bosses revealed which Kent towns the German discount retailer is eyeing up as potential sites for new stores.
The chain has selected Chatham, New Romney and Tunbridge Wells as “priority areas” of the county where it hopes to build new branches.
Bosses say they have received more than 4,000 submissions after calling for the public to get in touch with suggestions as they look to continue a “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 all, but we can’t do that while there are still some towns and areas that either don’t have an Aldi or have capacity for additional stores.
“We recognise there is huge demand in certain regions for more stores, which is why we decided to get the public’s 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 is set to be 20,000 sq ft in size, with the drive-thrus ranging from 1,800 sq ft to 2,500 sq ft.
Within the planning documents submitted to FHDC, the masterplan also shows proposals for five business units and a builder’s merchant.
It is not yet known which companies will take on the other businesses, but Channex Project Management Ltd says the development would “enhance 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 need to travel longer distances for shopping.
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“The new establishments will create employment opportunities, both during the construction phase and for ongoing operations, providing local jobs in various roles such as retail, management, and customer service.
“The development can stimulate the local economy by attracting more visitors to the area, which can 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 operated in Folkestone since 1888, fell into administration in 2013 and the building was demolished a year later.
The company had been based on the Park Farm estate since 1970.
Robert Johnson is a UK-based business writer specializing in finance and entrepreneurship. With an eye for market trends and a keen interest in the corporate world, he offers readers valuable insights into business developments.
