RESIDENTS are delighted that Aldi will expand on to a new site in Stratton St Margaret.

The supermarket chain has revealed plans to develop a new and improved store in the existing Heli-Beds shop on the other side of Hobley Drive.

John Foley, chairman of Stratton St Margaret Parish Council, said: “We welcome the news. It will be a brilliant new store.

“We saw the proposals for the plans, and while we made a few suggested alternations and made a few comments, generally we think it’s a good idea.

“One thing we wanted to make sure was that there was easy access for disabled people and parking available.

“We’re also pleased the exit and entrance should be off Parsonage Road, which will help to ease the traffic along Hobley Drive.

“I think it’s a very popular supermarket because it is so much cheaper than the others. The only reason I don’t think more people shop there is because of the parking issues.”

Meanwhile, Heli-Beds has confirmed it will continue to operate out of its existing premises until Aldi moves in.

Steve Marr, director of Heli-Beds, said: “Heli-Beds has an agreement in place with Aldi which allows both Heli-Beds and Aldi to locate to new and larger premises while still retaining all staff.

“As a Swindon family business of 23 years, Heli-Beds will continue to trade from the Hobley Drive site until its move into new premises later this year. The current sale clearance campaign exclusive to Heli-Beds’ Swindon store will continue until the move to new premises.

“Obviously we are delighted that Aldi have agreed to move into the site since it means we will be able to move on to new premises, which I can’t disclose now until we have reached our completion date.”

The new store, which could open next year if planning permission is approved, is also set to create 10 new jobs.

If it goes ahead it will have a slightly larger gross floor area, at 532 sqm, than the existing store, which will provide more storage facility.

Plans also include a 147-bay car park.

Lee McCandless, Aldi UK development director, said: “Swindon is home to Aldi’s regional head office and distribution centre. As such we are investing heavily to ensure the best Aldi stores serve our shoppers.

“Our investment in a new Hobley Drive store will deliver many benefits.

“It will create a modern, new shopping environment for our customers.

“It will also generate up to 10 new jobs in addition to securing the future of those already working at our existing Hobley Drive Aldi.

“We are excited about our plans and look forward to showing our proposals at a public exhibition this Friday.

“We would encourage anyone interested in the plans to visit the event and see what we have in store.”

The public exhibition for the new store will be held at Grange Leisure, in Stratton, tomorrow between 2pm and 6.30pm.