Plans for a second new Aldi in Knowsley have taken a step forward after the supermarket chain bought a nine-acre plot in Prescot from the council.
The site in Cables Way, bought from Knowsley Council for £1.5 million, is being considered for a development including a new supermarket, a fast-food restaurant, a drive-through coffee shop and a pub.
According to Aldi’s website, the development will bring 150 new jobs to the area, while the council also hopes to secure income from developer’s contributions and additional business rates.
A spokesperson for the council said: “The continued transformation of Prescot is a key priority for Knowsley Council and as part of our plans to bring more footfall into the town centre, support the local economy and create new jobs, the Council has approved the sale of land at Cables Way to Aldi.
“This sale secures a further £1.550m of private investment into the town centre, plus any additional investment that may come from Aldi’s plans to develop a new store and other mixed uses, including employment space, on the site (subject to planning approval).”
Knowsley Council put the site on the market in 2017 and signed an exclusivity agreement with Aldi last year, but council documents reveal the local authority has now formally agreed to sell the land to the supermarket chain.
Described as an extension to Prescot Business Park, the Cables Way site is currently wooded green space neighbouring the playing fields at Brown’s Field.
Prescot Cllr Kai Taylor said: “We’re quite happy for Aldi. We’ve seen the plans for it, we like what it’s going to be.
“There’s some concerns about traffic flow, but there’s evidence in the planning documents for how they’re going to mitigate that.
“A cheaper food outlet is something we should be happy about, and especially as it’s accessible, it’s got good transport links.”
Planning permission still needs to be granted for the development, but if it goes ahead it will be the second new Aldi in the borough.
In August last year, the council approved a 19,400sq ft supermarket between the M62 and M57 in Huyton.
Work began on the Huyton development, known as Beacon 62, earlier this year. The site will eventually include other buildings, including a petrol station and drive-through McDonald’s.
