The budget favourite is the fourth-largest supermarket in the country and has a growing global presence. But shoppers in southwest Wales will soon bid farewell to a sizeable branch owned by Aldi in an update to its store portfolio.
According to the retailer, the Swanfield Place branch in Llanelli will close its doors for good at 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 27. Unlike other closures staged by the supermarket chain, there are no plans to improve or replace the site after its closure. This means locals will have to trek 30 minutes further away to the nearest alternative branch in Trostre.
The Swanfield Place store is conveniently located near several other amenities, including a theatre, ODEON cinema, Boots, and the St Elli Shopping Centre.
Its central location makes it easy for customers without access to a car to visit, but that won’t be the case when the store closes.
Cllr Sarah Evans told InYourArea: “This is a hell of a blow to those who do not have a car in my ward who face a far longer journey to travel to do their weekly shop.
“In particular, it will hit the elderly and the most vulnerable the hardest.
“Llanelli welcomed Aldi with open arms as it brought cheaper prices and competition to the other major supermarket chains.”
Devastated shoppers have taken to social media to share their dismay. One local wrote on Facebook: “Another great shop leaving our town, Aldi, is closing their shop in Llanelli in April. It’s such a shame that Llanelli council won’t try to keep this shop in town.
“It now means that if we want to go to Aldi in the future it means a trek to Trostre.”
Another wrote: “Been on the cards for a long time. Just been seeing out their lease. They were never going to keep two open in the town.”
According to Aldi, staff affected by the closure will be relocated to local stores, including the “close to home” site on Trostre Road.
It’s not all doom and gloom for Aldi, as the retailer has long-term plans to expand its portfolio to 1,500. In June 2024, the supermarket revealed a wish list of locations where it wants to open new stores – including London, Surrey, Hampshire, Manchester and Liverpool.
Each site will accommodate a 20,000 sq ft store with around 100 parking spaces. Ideally, the location will be near a main road with good visibility and access.
The chain has also set its sights on opening more Aldi Local stores inside the M25, which will be 5,000 sq ft in size.