German supermarket chain Aldi has added Harrogate to a list of locations where it would like to open a new store.
Budget supermarkets have been making inroads into the Harrogate district in recent years. Aldi opened its first supermarket in Harrogate on Oak Beck Road in 2016 and another store in Knaresborough in 2021.
Aldi’s rival, Lidl, has had a supermarket in Knaresborough for several years and is currently building a new Harrogate store on Knaresborough Road. Lidl also has plans to open a supermarket at St Michael’s Retail Park in Ripon.
The cost of living crisis could see cheaper supermarkets continue in popularity and now Aldi has released a list of over 50 towns and cities, including Harrogate, that it is targeting in the coming years.
The company is offering a finder’s fee for anyone who recommends a suitable site, which it says should measure 20,000 sq foot, be able to accommodate 100 parking spaces and ideally be near a main road.
George Brown, national property director at Aldi UK, said:
“Despite our growth in recent years, some people still don’t have access to a local store, which is why it is our mission to continue on with our ambitious growth plans and change that.”
Read more:
- Knaresborough’s first Aldi set to open tomorrow
- Harrogate woman buys cauliflower the size of egg from Aldi
Popular Harlow Hill fruit and veg shop to reopen in February
Wharfedale Fruiterers on Otley Road in Harrogate will reopen with a new name and new owners in February.
The owners of the Shepherd’s Dog pub, Mike and Donna Schofield, opened the greengrocers during the first covid lockdown in a former barbershop close to the pub.
It also sold dairy, bread and meats and quickly became popular with Harlow Hill residents.
However, Mr Schofield closed the shop this year to concentrate on the pub and his wife’s illness.
Read more:
- Harrogate engineer spends year crafting incredible Christmas light and music show
- Increased Harrogate district police patrols to get people home safe
From February, the shop will be owned by a couple who currently run a fruit and veg stall on Ilkley market. It will be renamed Wharfedale Fruit and Veg but Mr Schofield promised not much about it will change.
He said:
“The great thing is they’ll purchase everything from the same market as me. They’ll keep Longley Farm dairy and eggs. It will be the same quality but they’ll put their stamp on it.
“They are well established and they know what they’re doing.”