THE supermarket chain Aldi has shelved its plans to build a new store on a former Territorial Army site in Prestatyn.
The Army Reserve Centre, located on the corner of Marine Road and Bastion Road in Prestatyn, was sold to the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association for Wales in November 2016.
It followed a Government decision to merge the 101 Battalion of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers with the 105 battalion, based in Bristol.
The Ministry of Defence later placed it on the market with GVA, which was later taken over by Avison Young.
READ MORE:
Aldi's new Rhyl store opens with queues of people waiting to get in
What to expect from the 'all-singing, all-dancing' new Llandudno M&S
Aldi had considered a new Prestatyn store on the former Territorial Army site, but said that, “following extensive work” exploring its potential redevelopment, it has decided not to pursue this.
An Aldi spokesperson said: “Aldi had been considering opportunities to deliver a new store in Prestatyn on the former Territorial Army Centre site on Marine Road.
“Following extensive work to understand and explore potential redevelopment of the site, Aldi has taken the decision not to progress with these plans.
“We are delighted by the popularity of our existing store in the town centre and look forward to continuing to serve the local community with Aldi’s award-winning low-priced food and products.”
Dr James Davies, MP for Vale of Clwyd, welcomed the news.
He said: "This building and its former clock tower is something of a landmark in the town.
"I met Aldi to discuss their plans last year and was very clear with them that their intentions to demolish the building in its entirety were unacceptable.
"In addition, Prestatyn now has ample supermarket provision and I also felt the closure of the Aldi store on Meliden Road would be detrimental to the success of shops and services in its immediate vicinity.
"We can be more ambitious for this Bastion Crossroads location, which is prominent and increasingly untidy, but importantly is located between Prestatyn’s Blue Flag Central Beach and its thriving town centre.
"I am aware of potential alternative interest in the land and I have spoken to the CEO of the Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Association (Col Dominic Morgan), the town clerk and the county planning department in recent days.
"I have also re-approached a couple of national hotel chains and will continue to promote viable and positive options to achieve a long-term solution for the site."
Aldi currently has a Prestatyn store on Meliden Road, as well as supermarkets in Rhyl’s Marina Quay retail park, which opened in August 2019, and in Rhuddlan, on Marsh Road.
In May 2017, the Journal reported that commercial development company Liberty Properties had looked to purchase some of the homes opposite the former Territorial Army site.
But the company refuted suggestions it was also planning to buy the centre as part of a larger plan to build a retail development.
Meanwhile, a new supermarket is due to open elsewhere in North Wales this week, as an “all-singing, all-dancing” Marks and Spencer store welcomes customers at Parc Llandudno retail park from tomorrow (March 16).
Attempts were also made to contact Avison Young.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here