When it comes to supermarket rivalries, there’s none quite so interesting (and fierce) as the one raging between Aldi and Lidl. 

The German budget retailers go head-to-head each month in a bid to be crowned the UK’s cheapest supermarket, and more often than not it’s Aldi that’s victorious.

But in their latest battle, it’s looking like it might be Lidl that’ll come out on top.

The big brands are both keen to open a new store in one of the UK’s poshest towns, and a verdict as to which one will be able to do so is imminent.

Aldi and Lidl have both submitted planning applications to build new stores in Holt in Norfolk, with Lidl wanting to open off Nightjar Road and Aldi off Old Station Way.

The market town, which is the epitome of a ‘chocolate box town’, is made up of quaint flint and red brick buildings, cute cobbled courtyards, and independent businesses, art galleries and boutiques.

It’s also home to Gresham’s Private School, which has had some notable alumni over the years, including Olivia Coleman, Sir James Dyson, and W.H. Auden.

For those unfamiliar with the area, Holt previously came in 7th place in The Telegraph’s ranking of Britain’s 15 poshest towns.

As such, some locals don’t think the budget brands are suitable for their ‘beautiful Georgian’ town; but others welcome the idea, as the current grocery options aren’t the most affordable.

There’s a Budgens store at Kerridge Way, a Morrisons Daily inside a BP petrol station, and a food hall inside Bakers & Larners, the town’s very own luxury independent department store.

Taking to Facebook, Hayden Cunningham said: ‘We desperately need an Aldi; not only is it going to be a cheaper alternative to Budgens, but it will bring a lot more job opportunities to a lot of us out here. Besides that, I can’t see why anybody would say no to this; if you don’t wanna shop at Aldi then just don’t. Simple as.’

Similarly, Shane Webster commented: ‘As much as I would love to afford to do my weekly shop in Bakers & Larners, reality has to kick in, so yes please Aldi we welcome you.’

As Alan Raymond Palmer shared: ‘A new supermarket is vital.’

Nicola Smith wasn’t so keen though, sharing: ‘Just a lot of tat in Aldi and Lidl. Would be lovely to get a decent supermarket.’

And Mandy Mops asked: ‘Why oh why do we need two budget supermarkets in this beautiful Georgian town and so close to each other?’

To answer Mandy’s question, Holt doesn’t need two supermarkets. In fact, North Norfolk District Council has been warned that allowing both to open could have ‘significantly adverse’ consequences for the town.

As reported by the Eastern Daily Press (EDP), independent retail consultants at Nexus told the council the town centre ‘cannot survive’ both stores opening. They said trade at Budgens could fall by as much as 30 per cent, with the wider town centre ‘facing a hit of up to 22.6 per cent’.

It was decided that one store would not cause such harm to Holt, and it’s therefore been recommended that only one of the planning applications be approved.

But which one will they pick?

Aldi’s site is said to be the better of the two in planning terms, as the land at Old Station Way is closer to the town centre, and has been identified as suitable for a food store in the Holt Neighbourhood Plan.

Lidl’s plot, on the other hand, is further out on the edge of town and was never intended for retail use.

Despite this, it isn’t looking good for Aldi, as part of their planning proposal includes access to the busy A148 bypass, which has been deemed ‘unacceptable in the interests of road safety’ by Norfolk County Council’s highways department.

As such, planners have recommended Lidl be given the green light at a North Norfolk District Council development committee meeting set to take place on Thursday, September 10.

And Lidl is confident they’ll be the right choice.

POLL
Poll

Do you shop at Aldi or Lidl?

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Andrew Hodgkinson, regional head of property at Lidl GB, recently told the EDP: ‘Holt residents have been clear that they want a Lidl store in the town and we are ready to deliver one.

‘With capacity for only one discounter in Holt, Lidl is the only realistic and deliverable option, and we are ready to get spades in the ground should planning permission be granted on Thursday.’

However, Lidl shouldn’t celebrate just yet, as committee members don’t have to follow the recommendations from planners, so Aldi could still get the votes.

And Aldi has been actively encouraging the people of Holt to show support and let the council know how much they want the retailer to open there, with an online form.

So, the war wages on and we’ll have to wait and see what happens next…

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