RETAIL giant Aldi is looking to close its Junction Retail Park store in 2020 and move to a new site off Crewe Green roundabout.

The German supermarket chain has submitted a planning application to Cheshire East Council for a 1,801sq m store on land off University Way – complete with a 132-space car park, including four electric charging points.

In its planning statement JLL, acting on behalf of Aldi, said the retailer would protect 20 existing jobs from the Junction Retail Park store while creating a further 20 jobs at the new site.

The statement added: “Aldi’s Crewe store at Junction Retail Park will close in 2020 as a result of the lease expiring and having no opportunity to expand.

“It is no longer fit for purpose and cannot align with the standard of size and quality of offer in its other stores as part of its business format.

“Aldi has therefore carried out a site search to replace the existing store and has identified a site at University Way.

“No other sites have been identified, therefore the University Way site provides Aldi’s only option to protect and relocate existing jobs and to continue to serve Crewe’s community, particularly to the east of the town.”

The application is expected to be discussed by CEC’s southern planning committee at a meeting in the Municipal Buildings, in Crewe, on September 5.

Residents can comment on the scheme until Wednesday, August 1.

To view the plans, search for ‘18/3123N’ on CEC’s planning website.