Aldi has officially submitted plans to Somerset Council to build a new £7 million supermarket on the outskirts of Wellington. The proposed store will be situated off Chelston Roundabout, just south of the A38, on land designated for commercial development.
The new Aldi store aims to generate up to 40 new jobs, with the retailer committed to offering some of the highest hourly wages in the supermarket sector. Located close to Chelston Business Park and other commercial areas, the site provides convenient access for both workers and customers. An added advantage is the easy connection to the A38 and M5 motorway, making it ideal for deliveries and ensuring steady customer traffic.
According to Aldi’s application statement, the store’s design follows their latest efficiency-driven layout. This model reduces building and operational costs, enabling Aldi to maintain affordable prices. The store features carefully planned aisle widths and warehouse space, all optimized to ensure the project’s viability. Aldi stressed that any changes to the current design could compromise this balance.
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The site’s accessibility and proximity to existing and future residential developments make it a sustainable choice for a new supermarket. Aldi highlighted its commitment to employee welfare, noting it pays some of the highest wages in the sector, compensates workers during breaks, and champions gender pay equality, accessibility, and equal opportunities.
The application explains that no more suitable or available centrally located sites exist that could accommodate this scale of development. A trade impact assessment predicts a balanced distribution of customer trade across local supermarkets, including other Aldi stores and competitors like Lidl. The impact on Wellington town centre is expected to be limited due to Aldi’s unique retail offering.
Earlier this year, Elliott Saunders, Aldi Real Estate Director, said: “We are thrilled to bring forward plans for a new Aldi store in Wellington, giving people better access to Aldi’s award-winning range of high-quality products at prices no other retailer can match. We encourage residents to participate in our virtual consultation to learn more about the scheme and share their views.”
Graham Ford, Partner at GTH’s Development, Land & Planning department, added: “We are really delighted that Aldi have come forward with their plans for this site. The council has allocated the wider parcel of land for development, and having a major national retailer like Aldi commit marks a fantastic step forward in realising the vision for this site. Wellington will benefit not only from the new store but also from the broader investment and job opportunities that will be unlocked across the rest of the site.”
Somerset Council will review the application before making a final decision on the project.