Aldi set to seek approval for new trim store within weeks

German discount supermarket Aldi’s bid to bring a new store to Trim received a boost last week when it signed contracts to purchase the site of the old town swimming pool at Watergate Street.
The sale is subject to planning permission, and it is understood that Aldi intends to apply for planning approval in the coming weeks.
Last September, Trim councillors formally approved the sale of the 1.9 acre site for €585,000 to Aldi. The land had been valued at €305,000 per acre, which represented “full market value” according to Des Foley, director of services at Meath County Council.
Cllr Caroline Lynch this week said the development represents good news for the people of Trim and, should the planning application be successful, provide a welcome boost to the town.
“According to the Draft County Retail Strategy, which was published in 2012, only 51.8 per cent of Trim’s shoppers do their weekly shop in the town,” said Cllr Lynch. “So the addition of another major retail outlet would hopefully help resolve that issue and provide a much-needed economic boost to the area and its people.”
Cllr Noel French also welcomed the announcement, and expects the supermarket to open its doors sometime in 2016, provided there are no objections to the development.
“It is wonderful news for the town and will result in the removal of an eyesore in the town,” he said. “I have always opposed out-of-town commercial developments that suck the life’s blood out of the centre of many towns.”