Aldi is lobbying Sir Keir Starmer to speed up planning permission processes for brand new supermarkets because the retailer faces extended approval instances from native councils.
George Brown, Aldi’s nationwide actual property director, just lately met with a senior particular adviser to the Prime Minister, pushing for reforms that align with the Authorities’s agenda to drive financial development and “get Britain building again.”
Brown expressed considerations on LinkedIn, highlighting that securing planning consent for brand new Aldi shops typically takes over 12 months as a result of under-resourced native authorities. He proposed that Aldi can be prepared to put money into the applying course of to expedite approvals, emphasising the necessity for extra streamlined and environment friendly decision-making for retail developments.
Brown additionally famous a choice amongst planning authorities for warehouse and industrial property approvals, which he argues generate fewer native jobs in comparison with grocery store openings. “To unlock significant investment in the UK economy, this needs to change,” he stated.
Aldi has set a goal to attain 1,200 UK shops by 2025 however is at the moment delayed with simply over 1,020 places. The retailer has additionally introduced a broader purpose of 1,500 shops, although no particular timeline has been offered. Aldi attributes the delays to planning crimson tape, constructing materials shortages, and objections from rivals, components which have slowed its enlargement and impacted gross sales development.
The discussions with Starmer’s adviser come amid broader guarantees from the Prime Minister to prioritise building tasks. Sir Keir just lately pledged to “turbo-charge” the planning course of to facilitate extra speedy growth of properties and business ventures.
Aldi’s push displays a wider frustration throughout the retail sector over the present planning system. Rivals like Waitrose, Lidl, and Iceland are additionally pursuing enlargement plans and have been vocal in regards to the bureaucratic challenges they face. Richard Walker, managing director of Iceland, criticised planning delays as a “handbrake on growth,” citing extended approval instances that hinder retailer openings.
Walker has additionally accused Aldi and Lidl of utilizing restrictive property deal clauses to dam Iceland shops from opening close by, a declare each discounters have declined to touch upon. In the meantime, Aldi has countered that rival supermarkets are more and more lodging planning objections to gradual its personal retailer openings, with UK CEO Giles Hurley noting that the variety of objections has risen as Aldi continues to supply a major worth hole in comparison with conventional supermarkets.
Grocery store chains have denied any claims of submitting pointless objections, stating they solely increase considerations when there are legitimate planning concerns. The Authorities, together with No 10, has declined to touch upon the continuing planning disputes.
