Aldi submit plans for new store in Broxburn, creating 35 jobs

The new store will be Aldi's sixth in West Lothian

DISCOUNT food retailer Aldi has submitted plans for a new store in Broxburn, creating 35 new jobs.

The application to West Lothian Council for the 1,315 square metre building at the town’s Greendykes industrial estate comes soon after Aldi opened a £25 million state-of-the-art storage and chill unit in Bathgate which will create another 120 jobs over the next five years.

The proposed Broxburn store will include 107 parking bays, including 89 standard, nine parent and child, seven disabled and two electric vehicle.

It will be Aldi’s sixth in West Lothian. The company already has stores in Livingston, Bathgate, Whitburn and Linlithgow, with a second store in Livingston due to open later this year.

The company said: “The development at Broxburn will create up to 35 local jobs within the store, together with new jobs during construction and within the Aldi supply chain.”

Aldi said the sumission of plans follows an online consultation event to inform local residents and gather feedback on the proposals.

It said it had received over 250 responses, of which 95 per cent were supportive of the plans.

The company said reasons given by members of the public for supporting the proposals included improving shopping choice and increasing competition in the town; reducing travel time travelling to and from the shops; expansion of the area; and good pedestrian access.

Philip Johnston, Aldi’s property director for Scotland, said: “We are delighted to announce we have submitted our planning application for a new store following the overwhelmingly positive feedback we’ve received from local residents in Broxburn and the surrounding villages.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who took the time to take part in our online consultation and those that have written back to us with their feedback.

“The proposed new store marks an exciting time as we bring forward plans for a sixth store in West Lothian. West Lothian is a key area of growth for Aldi and I am delighted to be able to present our plans to the local community and bring our award-winning offer to Broxburn and the surrounding villages.”

Aldi claims it is the UK’s best paying supermarket with entry level jobs paying £9.40 per hour – above the Real Living Wage Foundation Rate and UK National Living Wage Rate. It said a store manager’s starting salary was £46,385, rising to £60,490 after four years.”