Supermarket giant Aldi has been dealt a major blow after councillors denied its newest Dundee store the right to sell alcohol.
Bosses for the German firm appeared before the Dundee city licensing board to apply for an off-sales licence for the proposed supermarket on Myrekirk Road but were denied under “overprovision” legislation.
It’s understood that the decision is almost unheard of and could seriously jeopardise the development.
Aldi had to fight for permission to gain planning permission for the store after planners and some councillors opposed the creation of another supermarket.
The plan was granted following a close vote at council last year and only after the city’s citizen of the year made an appeal to the council, saying the jobs and easy access to cheaper food were much needed by the community.
Today’s landmark decision was taken after councillors heard from NHS Tayside, which said granting the licence would be a breach of the city’s overprovision policy and could be a risk to public health.
A threat to the Aldi store has already been delivered this week, after Asda launched a legal bid to block its opening.
The two supermarkets would sit side by side, should Aldi go ahead.
The supermarket firm has signalled its intention to invest heavily in the city.