New Aldi store will bring more jobs and breathe life into former Cemex House site in Rugby town centre
Plans to open a new Aldi food store at the former Cemex House site in Rugby town centre have been given the green light.
Rugby Borough Council has approved the proposals, a decision expected to create up to 40 new jobs and bring fresh activity to the site in Evreux Way.
The disused office building on the site will be removed to make way for the new store.
The development will introduce a well-known food retailer within Rugby’s Primary Shopping Area and bring an underused site back into productive use.
In addition to the permanent roles, around 100 jobs are expected to be supported during construction.
The store will provide residents with greater access to affordable everyday food shopping in a central location, adding to the range of services available within the town centre.
The approved plans include improved pedestrian links and a new crossing to make it easier and safer for people to walk between the site and surrounding streets, helping to strengthen connections to the wider town centre.
It will also feature pedestrian links to Rugby Central shopping centre, which could also be set for redevelopment subject to planning permission.
The new Aldi forms part of ongoing work to support the long-term future of Rugby town centre, including improving public spaces and encouraging a mix of uses across key sites.
Leader of Rugby Borough Council, Cllr Michael Moran, said: “This decision is very positive news for Rugby town centre.
“It is so important that key sites within the town centre are brought back into active use. Cemex House is one of the first major buildings people see as they come into Rugby town centre, and has been a derelict site for far too long, so getting it back in use again is a key part of regenerating the town as a whole.
“Aldi acquired Cemex House many years before my time as Leader, and it has been a challenging site to bring forward. Together with Cllr Roodhouse I have done my best to
bring all the relevant parties together to find a workable solution. I’m delighted that the development will create new jobs and give residents more choice, including access to affordable food shopping in a convenient location.”
Cllr Jerry Roodhouse, Chair of the Town Centre Working Group at Rugby Borough Council, added: “This decision reflects the Council’s determination and commitment to bringing
redundant town centre sites back into use.
“Making better use of underused land and improving connections between different parts of the town centre will ensure it continues to meet the needs of residents and businesses now and into the future.”
The development will now proceed in line with the approved plans and planning conditions.