The view of the new development as seen from about where Costa is on the High Street. Walk would be on the extreme right, Downes Newsagents out of sight to the left. Click for a larger version. Image from Aldi consultation materials.
A very short post I’ve been meaning to do all weekend, but following on from the welcome news that Brownhills is very likely to lose it’s derelict 1960s shopping precinct Ravens Court under a larger brand new Aldi store, the supermarket chain have posted images and a consultation site so the views of the general public can be take – click here to visit it.
Flat elevations: From the High Street and from Tesco car park. Click for a larger version. Image from Aldi consultation materials.
Although Aldi are said to have bough the 12 year derelict site, they have yet to submit a planning application: However images from the consultation answer quite a few questions – but one big one remains: What will be the fate of the old Aldi store?
The suggested new site layout which fully occupies the space Ravens Court currently occupies. Click for a larger version. Image from Aldi consultation materials.
So far feedback has been enormously positive, save for the usual miseries, presumably holding out for a Waitrose. There has been some comment about the potential access from the High Street (note it’s one way – entry to the store car park only) and the fact the the Card Shop, John Taylor Hospice shop, Shoe Zone, and the empty unit next to it will be lost.
It’s believed Aldi will relocate the businesses affected, as they have done in developments elsewhere.
I actually really like the look of this, and I think it will make vacant retail units along the High Street more desirable. Obviously a final plan is yet to be submitted and it will be enormously interesting to see the finer detail of it, and how much it may depart from that suggested here.
Please take part in the consultation, whether you feel positive or critical, it’s all welcome at https://aldiconsultation.co.uk/brownhills