PLANS for a new supermarket in a west Cumbrian town have been welcomed by the community – who hope it will bring regeneration and a boost to local traders.

Aldi has lodged a planning application with Cumberland Council for a new food store on land at East Road/Wyndham Place in Egremont.

The discount food retailer said the new store would meet local demand and cut travel times for residents in an area ‘with limited food shopping choice’.

The news has been welcomed by the community, including Marion Mossop, who owns Marion's Pet Shop on Main Street, which has diversified by selling food items.

She said: “I think it’s good for the town. It’s a bigger shop with more choice of stuff. I’ll probably go there myself. I will give the town a bit more choice.

“We sell cakes, fruit and vegetables and flowers. Aldi sells those things too but it doesn’t do dog grooming! We can look at diversifying. We’ve diversified anyway so we can do that more.

“I think it will be a good idea. The only worry is traffic getting on and off the roundabout.”

Elaine Woodburn, chair of Egremont Town Council, said: “It’s great news – massive investment in the town which has got to be welcomed.

“There’s been a lot of positive feedback from the local community and the hope is that it will attract people from south of Egremont into the town instead of having to drive into Whitehaven.

“We hope when they’re shopping in the town that they go and visit some of our good, independent shops.

“We would like to see Aldi make a further investment in the town. It would be good if they made a commitment that it would be local employees to make sure we get those additional benefits from it.”

Sam Pollen, who represents Egremont on Cumberland Council, said: “I think it could be part of the regeneration of Egremont. I think it’s welcomed by 99 per cent of the population.

“However, there are concerns, which are hopefully being addressed, about access and the impact it may have on the Main Street.

“We think it will bring business and opportunity to Egremont. I think it’s what the town needs.”

The proposed site which Aldi wants to redevelop has not been in use since 2020 after previously serving the community as a petrol station and Ford dealership.

It has been estimated the scheme would provide up to 40 new, full time equivalent jobs.

The planning application can be viewed on the Cumberland Council website, using the application reference 4/24/2044/0F1.