PLANS to bring a new supermarket to Basingstoke has taken a step forward.

As previously reported in The Gazette, ALDI has taken over the vacant former Budgens site in WInklebury, which has been empty since March last year.

Now, ALDI is seeking feedback from residents and is holding a public consultation before submitting its planning application to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

If granted planning permission the modern store will represent a significant investment in Winklebury, leading to the creation of up to 40 new jobs, which ALDI will actively seek to recruit from the local area.

There is not currently an ALDI store in the town, and since Budgens went into administration, there was not been a local convenience store in Winklebury.

The proposed store will provide people with more discount shopping choice in an easily accessible location, making it easier to save on shopping and journey times.

A spokesperson for ALDI said: “We have been keen to open a neighbourhood store in Basingstoke for some time and are pleased to be finally progressing plans for an award-winning ALDI.

“Many local residents already travel outside the area to enjoy the ALDI offer, and opening our doors in Winklebury would make it even easier for people to shop and save.”

The building’s landlord and the council have been in negotiations since the Budgens store closed trying to attract another new company to provide an overdue shopping facility for the area.

With ALDI stepping forward the spokesperson added that the supermarket firm is “committed to opening as soon as possible.”

The potential Basingstoke store is part of the firm’s nationwide investment, which will see ALDI more than double its employee numbers in the UK as it opens more than 550 new stores between now and 2022.

Once the supermarket chain has public feedback they plan to submit the planning application with the potential of having public support.

People wishing to give feedback on the proposal should contact 0117 214 1820 or email winkleburywayaldi@planningpotential.co.uk.