The opening date of a new Aldi supermarket in Dundee has been pushed back – as the retailer bids for an even bigger alcohol sales area.
The budget chain has confirmed it intends on opening the new outlet at Tom Johnston Road, near Broughty Ferry, in autumn 2024.
Up to 35 jobs will be created at shop.
Aldi had previously been targeting a summer 2024 opening.
Bid to increase booze sales area by nearly 25%
The reason for the slight delay has not been confirmed, but it comes after the firm lodged a fresh licensing application to increase the permitted alcohol sales area in the new store.
That follows a lengthy and controversial process that saw Aldi first refused planning permission for the shop – which was ultimately overturned – then denied permission to sell any alcohol.
The licence bid was eventually approved when a court ruled a Dundee City Council alcohol overprovision policy should be scrapped.
Aldi now wants to vary its existing licence before the shop has even been built.
The retailer is hoping to get permission to increase the alcohol sales area by nearly 25%.
Asked to explain the change, Aldi simply said its new ‘Project Fresh‘ stores are designed to have more space for different ranges, including alcohol.
NHS Tayside, which has previously objected to shops increasing or adding alcohol sales areas over health fears, says it cannot comment until the licence bid goes before councillors.
An Aldi spokesperson said: “We will begin construction of our new Dundee store in Q4 this year and plan to open the store in autumn 2024.
“This will create up to 35 jobs and enable local people to shop and save closer to home.”
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