At a time when many town centres are reporting the closure of major stores, Aycliffe Town Centre is bucking the trend with the opening of a new Aldi supermarket. The £1.5m development is the latest phase in an on-going transformation of the centre and is another good news story for the town already attracting major train-maker Hitachi
20 jobs have been created in the new store, which is the latest phase in the on-going transformation of the town centre.
Andrew Thomson of landlords, Freshwater, commented that “This is a good news story at a time when other town centres are struggling to survive. We have great confidence in Aycliffe town centre and have been very encouraged by the support and encouragement we have received from Durham Council, the Town Council and Phil Wilson, M.P. The successful delivery of the project and the exciting plans we have to take the centre forward show what can be achieved when the private and public sector work together”
Phil Wilson MP said, “The new Aldi store will be a great asset to the town adding greatly to the variety of shopping available. The store heralds the latest stage in the town centre redevelopment.”
The Mayor of Great Aycliffe Val Raw added “I would like to warmly welcome Aldi into Newton Aycliffe and thank everyone who has been involved in the development of this new store.”
The demolition of the empty offices on Dalton Way and the development of the 15,000sqft supermarket along with 74 car parking spaces have transformed the appearance of the shopping centre and knitted together Tesco, Argos and the other shops in that area with the older part of the town centre.
Centre Manager Bryan Haldane said “I expect following the opening of the new store, there will be renewed interest from other retailers seeking space in the town centre. We are already in discussion with existing tenants who are looking to expand or relocate closer to Aldi and the new car park.
“We hope to start work on the £2m refurbishment of Beveridge Way during the early part of next year and continue to build on the success of attracting retailers such as Wilkinson and Aldi to the town.
The next phase of the regeneration of the Aycliffe Centre will see major improvements to the precinct with new lighting, the planting of 26 new trees with new paving throughout the centre.
