A new supermarket on the site of a former drinks factory will become the first Aldi in the city, bosses have confirmed.
KentOnline revealed last week how revamped proposals to transform the former Silver Spring Mineral Water Company in Folkestone have been waved through by councillors.
Plans submitted by Channex Project Ltd included a then-unnamed supermarket and two new drive-through restaurants on the site at Park Farm Industrial Estate.
Now Aldi bosses have announced they will be operating the store, which will be the first of its kind in Folkestone, following much speculation from residents.
The proposals were unanimously approved by councilors at Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) during a planning meeting last week.
However, planning committee members raised concerns about increased traffic, pollution and safety in the area.
A pair of mid-range hotels – potentially an Ibis and a Hampton by Hilton – were earmarked in 2018 for the so-called “Folkestone Gateway” development.
But plans for the site near 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 land 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 improvements, which included the addition of an Aldi store and another drive-thru restaurant.
After the demolition of the former beverage factory, the large site was empty for more than ten years.
Despite concerns, FHDC members voted unanimously in favor of the development, but requested additional landscaping in the parking lot area.
The announcement from Aldi comes as bosses revealed which Kent towns the German discount retailer is eyeing as potential sites for new stores.
The chain has chosen 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 on the public to get involved with proposals as they look to continue their “rapid expansion” across the country.
Jonathan Neale, managing director of national properties at Aldi UK, said earlier this week: “We want to make high-quality food available to everyone, but we can’t do that while there are still some towns and areas that either don’t have it. they don’t have Aldi or they don’t have the capacity for more stores.
“Recognizing that there is a huge demand for more stores in some regions, we decided to get the public’s views on our latest list of priority locations.
“They have helped us identify where the demand is the greatest and we will continue to work to get Aldi to as many people as possible.”
The new Aldi in Folkestone is to be 20,000 sq ft, with the drive ranging from 1,800 sq ft to 2,500 sq ft.
As part of the planning documents submitted to the FHDC, the masterplan also shows proposals for five commercial units and a builders’ merchant.
It is not yet known which companies will take over the other businesses, but Channex Project Management Ltd says the development will “improve the quality of life for residents”.
The developers say the impact on Folkestone town center has been assessed and “recognised as a barrier to this application or future development of the site”.
A spokesman for KentOnline said last month: “Residents will have easier access to a wider range of food and everyday essentials, potentially reducing the need to travel longer distances to shop.
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“The new premises will create employment opportunities, both during the construction phase and for ongoing operations, providing local jobs in a variety of 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 McDonald’s, Sainsbury’s, Homebase, Pets at Home and Home Bargains.
The Silver Spring, which had been operating in Folkestone since 1888, went into administration in 2013 and the building was demolished a year later.
The company has been based at Park Farm since 1970.