New supermarket for city

3:19pm Thursday 19th July 2007

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Traders are hoping the arrival of a no frills supermarket will breathe life into their street.

Cut-price supermarket chain Aldi has bought the old Sainsbury's store in London Road, Brighton, and plans to open next year.

There are around 5,000 Aldi stores in Europe, Australia and the US, which all run on the same low-cost philosophy.

Goods are stacked on pallets on the floor and staff, usually numbering between four and ten depending on the size of the store, are employed to keep overheads low.

Customers are also charged for plastic shopping bags and only supply trolleys, not baskets, to keep costs low.

May Cragg, of Patricia Florist, is among those traders who have felt the pinch since Sainsbury's and the Co-op department store closed earlier this year.

She believes a new supermarket could help kick-start the London Road economy again.

She said: "We've been struggling to keep our heads above water. It's affected us quite badly because there's nothing to bring people in.

"If Aldi brings some life to the place then good luck to them. I don't mind as long as they don't sell too many flowers."

Paul Muller of Sid's Fish Stall in the Open Market agreed.

He said: "The more life there is in London Road the better. An open shop will do more to attract shoppers than an empty one."

A spokeswoman for Somerfield in London Road said the Aldi store would be a competitor, but added: "It's unlikely they'd be attracting the same demographic as us."

Fruiterer Pat Mears said his fellow traders in the Open Market would not feel threatened by the new store.

He said: "Anything which draws custom into London Road is good.

"We're not bothered about the competition. The supermarkets are quick to drop their prices for a limited time but we sell the cheapest and the best all year round. It means people can plan their expenditure and know almost certainly what things will cost.

"It might be different if it was the other discount supermarket, Lidl, because they do more fruit and veg, but I think Aldi will complement the area. Of the two it's more upmarket."

He said traders were confident the project to rejuvenate the Open Market would be a further boost to the area.

It has faced a slight delay as architects have had to adjust the plans to increase the number of apartments within the development from 40 to 60, but it is hoped work will be underway by 2008.

An organic butcher and a top London cheese seller are among those who have expressed interest in moving into the market once the regeneration project is completed.

The Aldi chain was founded in Germany after the Second World War by Karl and Theo Albrecht. The brothers have since retired but are still Germany's richest men, according to Forbes magazine.

Will the Aldi store be good or bad for the area? Tell us what you think below.