Aldi debuts in Liverpool city centre
German grocer Aldi opened a 16,500 sq ft store on Thursday in the unit formerly occupied by Woolworths in Land Securities' St Johns Shopping Centre.
The expanding discount retailer signed a 15-year lease at an undisclosed rent for the unit on the ground floor next to the large steps towards Lime Street Station and opposite Clayton Square, also owned by Land Securities.
The deal follows news that Home Bargains will open a 15,000 sq ft store in St Johns in March 2011.
Land Securities put on hold a £100m comprehensive redevelopment of the centre due to the recession. However, the developer will press ahead with a reconfiguration and revamp of the food court, due for completion by autumn 2011.
Aldi has around 20 stores in other parts of Merseyside but has not previously had a presence in Liverpool city centre. Its Old Swan, Liverpool store was among the first it opened in the UK.
Savills and Jones Lang LaSalle advised Land Securities. Lamb & Swift is retained by Aldi.