Councillors have given Aldi the green light to redevelop the former indoor market site in Pershore Town Centre.
An application to demolish the current buildings off King George’s Way and replace them with a 1,780-square-metre supermarket and 124-space car park was approved at a Planning Committee on Thursday (20 June).
The store will create the equivalent of 50 full-time jobs, which Aldi says will be sourced from the local area, as well as provide local jobs during construction.
Several green and low-carbon measures will feature in the design, including solar panels, air-source heat pumps with a heat recovery system, and the use of locally sourced building materials, where possible. There will be four electric vehicle charging points, with the option of introducing another 17 in the future.
Planners have worked with Aldi to ensure the building design protects views of Pershore Abbey and the store will be built using red brick to reflect other buildings in the town centre area.
A pedestrian link from the high street through the development to King George’s Way will also be created. This supports the vision in the Pershore Investment Prospectus to better connect the town centre with the River Avon.
The prospectus earmarked the indoor market site as a ‘game changer’ with the potential to kick-start the wider regeneration of Pershore Town Centre. The market had been up for sale for several years and closed at the end of last year after the owner announced it was no longer viable in its current format.
Ian Edwards, Director of Economy and Environment for Wychavon District Council, said: “This is positive news for Pershore as it will create new jobs and boost choice for residents. It will attract people into the high street which will benefit other businesses and support the wider vision in the investment prospectus to create a vibrant and thriving future for Pershore Town centre.”
Simon Glover, Real Estate Director for Aldi, said: “We are delighted with the decision. We have had great support for this project and can’t wait to bring our offer to the people of Pershore.”
