Nine out of ten Tunbridge Wells people would welcome budget supermarket Aldi to the town, a Times survey has revealed.
Almost 91 per cent of respondents said they would be happy to see the cut-price retailer open while the remainder were against it.
We revealed last week the company intends to submit a full application for a store with an 80-space car park behind the Esso petrol station in Eridge Road before the end of the year.
The news came as Poundland opened its doors at the junction of Goods Station Road and Grosvenor Road in the town centre last Thursday.
We asked readers online “Would you welcome an Aldi store in Tunbridge Wells?” with an immediate flood of votes to our website.
There were also dozens of comments on social media sites, including Facebook.
Rebecca Smith wrote on the social media site: “Just because we live in Tunbridge Wells doesn’t mean we should have to or expect to pay over the odds for food/shopping. I see no problem with Lidl or Aldi as the quality is on par with other supermarkets for a fraction of the price. I then have more discretionary income for more fun things.”
Karen Smith agreed with the message: “Yes to Aldi and Primark. Yes to anything that’s going to use up the sites that are an eyesore in Tunny Wells… and if the shops are not good enough for the snobs of town then don’t use them! Simple!”
Borough councillor Chris Woodward said: “Some people feel an Aldi would be good as it’s probably more economical shopping but its impact on those who live nearby could be challenging, as will the impact on roads and traffic.”
A spokesman for Poundland said: “We were very pleased with the launch of the Tunbridge Wells branch last week. It went very well.”
More than 2,300 customers vistited the store with chocolate favourite Toblerone the top seller.
