Rayleigh and Wickford MP, Mark Francois, recently visited Aldi bosses at their regional headquarters in Chelmsford, to ensure that the proposed re-opening of their refurbished store along Wickford High Street remains on schedule.
The timing of the re-opening, following a £4 million investment to materially upgrade the store, has taken on added significance, given that the old Co-op store in Wickford is now closed, pending redevelopment and the traditional Wickford Market, which previously operated in the High Street on Saturdays, is also temporarily suspended, whilst seeking a new home.
Commenting on his recent meeting with Aldi's Regional Managing Director, Graham Heatherington and their Regional Development Director, Roland Stanley, Mark said:
"Having explained the 'perfect storm' which shoppers in Wickford are currently facing, with both major supermarkets closed and Wickford Market still seeking a new home, I was greatly reassured to receive strong commitments from Aldi's senior management that they are fully determined their refurbished Wickford store will now re-open on the morning of Thursday 30 November - just under four months from today.
Aldi's store, which will have a 28% increase in floor space, extra parking spaces, including for disabled customers, and four new, free, electric vehicle charging points will no doubt be eagerly awaited by my Wickford constituents, who have been without a major supermarket in the town for far too long. The new store will provide around 50 local jobs, about fifteen more than previously, so will also boost local employment prospects too. This can't happen soon enough, something of which Aldi's directors are, following our very positive discussion, now well and truly aware!"
