Second Midlothian Aldi store planned for Straiton

Aldi has revealed plans for a second store in Midlothian following the “overwhelming” support for its first store, which starts construction this week.
An artist's impression of the proposed Aldi store at Straiton.An artist's impression of the proposed Aldi store at Straiton.
An artist's impression of the proposed Aldi store at Straiton.

The discount food chain has said it proposes a second store at Straiton as part of the New Pentland plan for a new mixed use retail and community park in the area.

Aldi was granted planning permission for a store in Dalkeith, its first in Midlothian, after councillors rejected planning officers’ recommendation to turn it down in October.

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The proposals received more than 40 letters of support and were described by council leader Derek Milligan as a “no-brainer”.

Work on the Dalkeith store gets under way this week and the supermarket chain has now revealed its plans for a second store in the county.

The Straiton store will, Aldi says, serve and bring greater convenience shopping choice to the local communities of Loanhead, Roslin and Bilston.

It will consist of a 1,315 sqm net food store with 104 parking bays, including click and collect and electric vehicle spaces.

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Aldi says the second store will also create up to 35 local jobs within the store, together with new jobs during construction and within the Aldi supply chain.

The chain says it is the UK’s best paying supermarket, with entry level jobs paying £9.55 per hour – above the Real Living Wage Foundation Rate and UK National Living Wage Rate – and store managers’ posts having a starting salary of £46,385 rising to £60,490 after four years.

Announcing the news, Philip Johnston, property director for Scotland, Aldi, said: “We were simply overwhelmed by the warm welcome and positive response we received for our Dalkeith proposals and I am excited to be bringing forward proposals for our second Aldi in Midlothian on the same week as we begin construction of our much-anticipated Dalkeith store.

“We believe that there is a real demand for Aldi’s award-winning offer within Midlothian and that this new store in Straiton can further complement the existing retail and leisure in the area.”

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Throughout March, Aldi will be consulting with the local community on the proposals as it seeks feedback and comment to help shape the finalised plans.

It is anticipated that a planning application for the store will be lodged with Midlothian Council later in the spring, with the new store, if approved, complete by the summer of 2023.

The Dalkeith store is expected to be open and welcoming customers by October.