Aldi has announced plans for a new food store at a site to the west of Sandbrook Road in Ainsdale. This would mean a £7 million investment into the local economy and the creation up to 40 new jobs for local people, paid at an industry-leading rate.

Brownfield plot

The proposed site is a brownfield plot of land, next to St John’s Church and the Ainsdale Centre for Health and Wellbeing. There are currently several residential and retail properties on the site, many of which are vacant and in poor condition. Sefton Council have now acquired most of these properties and is working with Aldi to redevelop the site.

Aldi’s scheme that would transform the site, bringing a new, modern food store to the local area, improving its general appearance and environment. If it goes ahead, it would increase local residents’ shopping options from the current choice of the Coop or Tesco Express.

Consultation

A virtual consultation on the proposals, including details about the plans for the new store can be found at www.aldiconsultation.co.uk/ainsdale. It includes an online feedback form and runs until Thursday 19 March 2026.

People can also find out more information and provide their feedback by calling the Freephone information number 0800 066 8941 or emailing North@consultation-online.co.uk.

We have listened and acted

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Leader of Sefton Council, said: “We have listened to the community and have acted on longstanding concerns raised by residents about the many issues and challenges facing the Sandbrook Way local centre.

“My Cabinet is committed a significant fund to acquire land interests and to assemble a site in single ownership. This process is nearing a conclusion.

“Alongside this, we have consulted with the community and with the market with potential investors to establish what is desired and what can be delivered. It was evident that a retail led redevelopment met both aspirations.

“I am pleased to confirm that Aldi are working with the Council to develop proposals for the site  and are committed to investing millions of pounds into the local neighbourhood. They have a strong track record of delivery in Sefton and bring a high quality offer, both in terms of their produce and in terms of job creation.

“There is still some way to go, but we encourage the Ainsdale community to respond to Aldi’s consultation, so that they can update their proposals in advance of submitting a planning application”.

Improved local retail options

A spokesperson for Aldi said: "We're delighted to announce our plans for a new food store at this site in Ainsdale.

“This is an ideal site for a new Aldi food store, which would significantly improve the local retail options available to residents in the community and transform this brownfield site. We’d like to encourage all those in the local area to let us know what they think about our plans and look forward to working with residents and stakeholders to deliver a new Aldi food store for the area.”

Aldi is aiming to submit a planning application to Sefton Council in the coming months for consideration, following an extensive community consultation process.

You can take part in the consultation and have your say here.