Times are changing in Sheerness as Aldi and Post Office branches are put on the market

It is all change in Sheerness town centre, with two household names putting their premises on the market.

Aldi has listed its 15,164 square feet town centre store in Pepys Avenue for sale for a £2m freehold.

Alternatively, the German food firm could rent it out for £160,000 a year.

It was announced in 2018 the budget retailer wanted to offload the town centre shop in favour of a new superstore opposite its distribution centre at Neats Court, Queenborough.

An application for planning permission to construct a new purpose built store near to its regional base was submitted to Swale council planners in 2019.

According to a document submitted in support of the proposals – if approved – the unit will spread over just more than three acres of land.

There will also be space for car and cycle parking and room for disabled customers.

At the time the decision was criticised for taking shoppers out of town and leaving those without cars with less choice.

But Aldi said the existing store was dated, having opened in 2005, and was 23% smaller than its newest stores.

The supermarket is on a 1.3-acre site with 97 car parking spaces and is being sold by Cradick Retail.

Brian Spoor, of the Sheerness Town Team has urged Aldi to stay in the town. He fears for elderly shoppers and those without cars making it to Queenborough.

He added: “Iceland in the town reported only a tiny drop in takings after opening at Neats Court. Aldi could keep a base there too.”

“Iceland in the town reported only a tiny drop in takings after opening at Neats Court.”

Meanwhile, how would you like to stamp your character on an old Post Office?

Number 33 Broadway, Sheerness, is now up for sale for £120,000.

It closed in September last year and has remained empty ever since.

Now the Post Office, which owns a 992-year lease from the Royal Mail, has put it on the market through BNP Paribas Real Estate.

The Royal Mail will continue to use the rear of the building as a sorting office.

The premises were closed despite campaigns.

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