Aldi – the leading discount supermarket chain – is investing £59.5million to build a new regional distribution centre and offices in Cardiff – creating more than 400 jobs with Welsh Government support.
It is anticipated the investment in the new centre could result in the opening of up to ten new stores in Wales over the next five years with the potential to create a further 500 jobs.
The new centre in Wentloog will supply stores in South Wales and the South West of England, creating 414 jobs in a variety of roles from graduate level to senior management and operational roles. The £59.5 million investment is supported by the Welsh Government with £4.5m business finance which ensured the project was secured for Wales.
Funding support is towards the abnormal land development costs of more than £5m to get the site ready for construction. Unforeseen ground conditions and hydrological and ecological constraints means the construction of the new centre would not have been viable without funding support. Alternative sites in England would have been considered.
Economy Minister Edwina Hart said:” Support from the Welsh Government is not only helping to create more than 400 jobs – but it is also opening up wider supply chain opportunities for food and beverage suppliers and indirectly supporting jobs in the construction sector.
“The new centre will offer a wide range of employment opportunities for people in Cardiff, neighbouring areas and the South Wales Valleys.”
A spokesperson from Aldi said: “We are delighted to have the support of the Welsh Government and to be creating over 400 new jobs in Cardiff, underpinning Aldi’s commitment to Wales. We are pleased to be able to offer more people the chance to shop at Aldi and benefit from our everyday low prices and high quality products.”
Site works for the construction of the 40,000 sq mt distribution centre on the Capital Business Park, Wentloog, is now underway. When completed the building will include a 3000 sq mt office complex over two floors, 250 car parking spaces, loading bays, gatehouse and access roads.
It will provide a central hub for delivery, storage and distribution of frozen, chilled and ambient products to its stores. In addition to warehouse staff and drivers there will be additional management and support staff needed to process orders and deliveries, manage logistics and provide HR, IT and account support.
It is anticipated the centre will be fully operational in the first quarter of 2017.
