A supermarket war has been ignited as Tesco attempts to block discount competitor Aldi from opening a new store in a town.

The budget German chain has lodged an application to open as part of the Perry Court housing development in Faversham, which is already under construction.

But it faces stiff opposition from Tesco, which says a new Aldi will threaten business for smaller town centre traders.

Branding the proposal as “harmful”, Tesco says independent shops will suffer as a result of a new discount food store in Ashford Road.

The objection - compiled on behalf of Tesco by Martin Robeson Planning Practice (MRPP) - states: “While there is no suggestion that our client’s store here will close as a result of the proposed Aldi, the risk is that trade diverted from Tesco will have other harmful effects, particularly a reduction of linked trips with the town centre.

“There is also a risk that other stores will close as a result.

“Our client’s car park (288 spaces) is the largest in town and is well-related to Court Street, the main retail pitch.

“There is also a risk that other stores will close as a result..." Martin Robeson

“By contrast to our client’s town centre anchor position, the proposed Aldi at Perry Court Farm is located out-of-centre and isolated from Faversham town centre.”

Tesco has had a presence in Faversham since 1996 when its Crescent Road store opened.

While it argues a new Aldi will put smaller shops at great risk, the German chain insists it would “complement” existing stores.

A retail statement by independent consultancy Pegasus Group reads: “Aldi, as a limited discounter, would have limited crossover with the existing food stores and independent convenience stores within the town centre.

“The proposed Aldi would therefore complement the range of shopping available in the area, rather than compete.

“The Aldi foodstore is expected to serve the bulk and day-to-day shopping needs of the residential population of the wider Perry Court development, while also supplementing the convenience offer within Faversham town centre, by providing additional choice in the local area.”

Should the Aldi be approved, it would create 50 full-time jobs, opening from 7am until 10pm from Monday to Saturday, and from 10am until 4pm on Sundays.

When contacted by Faversham News about Tesco’s objection, Aldi said it hopes to open “as soon as possible” should permission be given.

A spokesman added: “Aldi would like to open a store in Faversham, as part of the Perry Court development, to make it easier for local people to shop and save with Aldi.

“Aldi’s popular offer would provide customers with an award-winning range of exclusive brands, passing low operating costs on to customers in the form of low prices.

“The opening of a store in Faversham would also create up to 50 new jobs at what is currently the UK’s highest paying supermarket.

“It is too early to provide a store opening date, but should planning be granted, we would hope to progress the store build as soon as possible.”

An outline application for Perry Court, consisting of 310 homes, a care home, hotel and convenience shop, was given the green light by Swale Borough Council in 2016.

Developers Henry Davidson (HDD) had originally planned to build a small 200 sqm store at the site, but redrafted an application to include the Aldi store.

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