Aldi is lobbying Sir Keir Starmer to speed up planning permission processes for brand spanking new supermarkets because the retailer faces extended approval occasions 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 constructing once more.”
Brown expressed issues on LinkedIn, highlighting that securing planning consent for brand spanking new Aldi shops typically takes over 12 months attributable to under-resourced native authorities. He proposed that Aldi could be keen 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 desire amongst planning authorities for warehouse and industrial property approvals, which he argues generate fewer native jobs in comparison with grocery store openings. “To unlock vital funding within the UK financial system, this wants to vary,” he stated.
Aldi has set a goal to succeed in 1,200 UK shops by 2025 however is presently delayed with simply over 1,020 places. The retailer has additionally introduced a broader objective of 1,500 shops, although no particular timeline has been offered. Aldi attributes the delays to planning purple tape, constructing materials shortages, and objections from rivals, elements 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 initiatives. Sir Keir just lately pledged to “turbo-charge” the planning course of to facilitate extra speedy growth of houses and industrial 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 concerning the bureaucratic challenges they face. Richard Walker, managing director of Iceland, criticised planning delays as a “handbrake on development,” citing extended approval occasions 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 value hole in comparison with conventional supermarkets.
Grocery store chains have denied any claims of submitting pointless objections, stating they solely elevate issues when there are legitimate planning issues. The Authorities, together with No 10, has declined to touch upon the continuing planning disputes.