DISCOUNT supermarket Aldi has announced work will begin on its new store in Bingley next month.

The German retail giant has told the town's MP Philip Davies that all difficulties surrounding the development of the Waterloo Road site have now been ironed out and contractors will soon be at work.

Minor hiccups occurred over ownership of land between the site and the Bingley bypass, but the way is now clear for building to begin with the aim of opening towards the end of this year.

Mr Davies worked to resolve the delays and said it was very good news for the town at a time when other supermarkets were closing stores and cancelling projects.

“Aldi continues to trade strongly, and having helped to solve the issues with the Highways Agency and Yorkshire Water which were holding back the opening of the new Aldi in Bingley, I was delighted to hear confirmation from them that they are hoping to start work on site in February," Mr Davies (Con, Shipley).

"This is a very popular development in Bingley which will provide a big boost to the town and Aldi intends to open its new store before the end of the year."

Bingley Chamber of Trade president Howard Martin said it was "hugely positive" news.

"The most common question I'm asked is 'When is work starting on the Aldi?'" Mr Martin said.

"Aldi is the store most people really want in Bingley - it's eagerly awaited and this is a very positive step.

"Bingley is bouncing back with new shops and bars every month."

Mr Davies was also involved in a recent three-way battle between developers hoping to build supermarkets in Shipley.

That tussle was ultimately won by Morrison's with its bid to build a new store with mixed commercial and housing in partnership with Skipton Properties on the Crag Road site.

And responding to poor Christmas trading results for Morrisons and its plans to close ten unprofitable stores Mr Davies called on the Bradford-based group to confirm its commitment to Shipley.

“These are very difficult times for the supermarket industry – particularly for Morrisons – and store closures are particularly sad for the people who work there," he said.

"I very much hope that these problems will not hinder Morrisons’ plans to build a new store in Shipley.

"However, this is a legitimate concern and I would very much welcome some confirmation from Morrisons that this development is still part of its ongoing plans."

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