It appeared on Aldi's website in July 2017—that they were looking for land in Rhuthun/Ruthin. Then, in September 2017, it listed four towns in which it wanted to trade, either with purpose built stores or by knocking down an existing supermarket and rebuilding. The four were Holyhead, Pwllheli, another in Wrexham... and Rhuthun. Since then, Aldi has opened in Dinbych and Rhuddlan.
Aldi is understood to be looking at land at Galsdir. This is earmarked for light industrial use but it is further understood that councillors would not wish to block Aldi. Let's be honest, the land has been available for over 10 years now and no one has nibbled.
The stumbling block seems to be badgers. Without relocating them, there appears no other way than to prohibit development of the land—for Aldi or for any other use.
Personally, I'd welcome an Aldi in Rhuthun. I am not anti-Tesco but for too long Tesco has enjoyed a monopoly. There's no real competition for it. Aldi may not be in the same division but it's ever popular and these days offers some "middle class" foods. I presume this means you can buy garibaldi biscuits. Though, perhaps not.
But what effect would Aldi have on the town?
I cannot see the Co-op being sustainable were Aldi to build. The Co-op already trades on the margin. The Co-op is centrally located and one set up as part of the 1988 Rhuthun development plan. Should we fret if the Co-op closed? Yes, because it would be one less reason to come to town itself. We have next to no banks. Tesco's on the periphery. Aldi would be farther out still.
It is a shame that Aldi couldn't take over the Co-op building (and rip it down, if necessary). Some years ago, there was talk of Aldi moving there but alas! that was actually a rumour started following someone mis-reading one of my blog posts.
The stumbling block seems to be badgers. Without relocating them, there appears no other way than to prohibit development of the land—for Aldi or for any other use.
Personally, I'd welcome an Aldi in Rhuthun. I am not anti-Tesco but for too long Tesco has enjoyed a monopoly. There's no real competition for it. Aldi may not be in the same division but it's ever popular and these days offers some "middle class" foods. I presume this means you can buy garibaldi biscuits. Though, perhaps not.
But what effect would Aldi have on the town?
I cannot see the Co-op being sustainable were Aldi to build. The Co-op already trades on the margin. The Co-op is centrally located and one set up as part of the 1988 Rhuthun development plan. Should we fret if the Co-op closed? Yes, because it would be one less reason to come to town itself. We have next to no banks. Tesco's on the periphery. Aldi would be farther out still.
It is a shame that Aldi couldn't take over the Co-op building (and rip it down, if necessary). Some years ago, there was talk of Aldi moving there but alas! that was actually a rumour started following someone mis-reading one of my blog posts.