Work to build a new Aldi store in West Cumbria has started.
It has now confirmed that initial work to prepare the Egremont site and clear it of its former garage buildings and fuel pumps has started.
Aldi also gained permission to build a larger store in Whitehaven on Preston Street and started work there earlier this year.
Initially, it was hoped the Whitehaven store would be open by Christmas, but the chain has now said both stores will be open in 2026.
An Aldi spokeswoman said: “We have now started preparation works for the construction of our new Egremont store and construction for our new Whitehaven store is underway and progressing well.
“We plan to open both stores next year, creating new jobs for the community and enabling local people to shop and save closer to home.”
Aldi said the two new stores will see a combined investment of £14 million go into the local economy.
Alongside an overall total of 50 new full-time jobs being created, staff at the existing Whitehaven store will be retained.
It added that additional employment opportunities during construction of the stores and in the supply chain are also expected.
Aldi initially lodged a planning application for the Egremont site early last year – but faced several requests to provide more details on how the new store would impact traffic in the area.
The plans remained on hold for most of the year, which prompted concerns from townsfolk that Aldi was looking at other sites for a new store in Whitehaven, rather than Egremont.
But Aldi later said it remained committed to both towns and had been working on plans for the larger store in Whitehaven and a new store in Egremont simultaneously.
