We don’t plan to close

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Jempson’s has ramped up its campaign to thwart Aldi’s plan for a rival supermarket in Rye, speaking to BBC Radio Sussex and making a social media post.

In a Facebook post on September 11, Jempson’s took a different view to its planning objection, which declared the store would “almost certainly” close if Aldi opened a Rye supermarket, by saying: “We would like to add if the Aldi store does go ahead, we don’t plan to close but can’t deny there will be some impact on our business.”

In comments to BBC Radio Sussex, the supermarket’s managing director Stephen Jempson reiterated his company’s view about the impact of Aldi on “additional services” provided by Jempson’s.

One assertion was the implication that the post office, hosted in Jempson’s Rye store, would be at risk should the store close. The post office in Rye has been based in several locations in the town over the years. Another argument has been that Aldi’s store would represent an “out-of-centre retail floorspace” which would exert a “significantly adverse impact on the vitality and viability of Rye town centre”.

Graphic showing how the new Aldi in Rye may look

A ruling on the merit of all arguments relating to the Aldi planning application is awaited from Rother District Council (RDC). The proposals, which are part of the wider development on Winchelsea Road which also include homes and retirement housing, are currently listed to be decided by October 15.

Any decision will be based on material planning considerations, but in a display of confidence, Jempson’s admitted on Facebook that while an Aldi store in Rye “would have a big impact on our store, it seems unlikely this will happen” because, in Jempson’s opinion, the Aldi proposal fails the retail impact test.

RDC will consider the fact that very few retail businesses in tourism-focused Rye sell groceries, alongside arguments about the competitive impact a new store from the international firm would have on the longstanding local company.

The BBC news article noted that some residents in Rye pointed out: “Jempson’s has a ‘monopoly’ in the town and welcomed the idea of having more options for shopping locally.”

Image Credits: Nick Forman , Harris Partnership .

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12 COMMENTS

  1. We must keep Jempsons, it’s local and sells good local produce. Aldi is not local and will impact adversely on the essential atmosphere of Rye, small scale activity atmosphere.

  2. I know Jempsons have a monopoly in Rye at the moment but I’m not at all sure that Aldi’s is going to be the right supermarket for this town, people don’t seem to realise that Aldi’s stores although cheap do not meet all the requirements for a weekly shop, as they only stock certain items, I know from my own experience that if I shop in Aldi’s that there are a lot of things they don’t have so I always end up having to go to another supermarket to fill the gap, it’s a bit counter productive.
    I ‘m sure Jempsons have realised that which is why they have changed their attitude towards them.

    • I couldn’t agree more. Having used the Aldi in Ore and Bexhill, I now understand attempting a weekly shop in one would be impossible. Plus, they don’t stock well known or recognisable brands. It’s like learning to shop all over again as if abroad. I respect Aldi might be great for some, but it’s not for everyone. Jempson’s manage to survive where it has competition from a much larger Sainsbury’s, a Co-Op and local bread shops, fishmongers and butchers in Bexhill. So there’s no reason for it not to continue to survive in Rye.

  3. We need something cheaper other than jempsons. How people can afford to do a weekly shop there is beyond me, they are so expensive and a little competition wouldn’t do any harm

  4. Just a thought. Would it be more feasible to have the Aldi store built on the Harbour road.
    This would not be a burden on the Winchelsea road also there must be over 100 vehicles a day use this road to visit the wild life centre and the holiday park.
    Good for business.?

    • I think that’s an excellent idea and have had this very thought, it would mean less holdups occurring on the Winchelsea road, which is always busy with through traffic and more traffic diverted to Harbour road which is relatively quiet with easy access in comparison a win win in my opinion.

  5. That is why there is room for both supermarkets in Rye. It overcomes the monopoly situation. People may not need to travel to other towns to have a choice. Even governments should be happy with less road miles travelled as we progress towards net zero..

  6. Whatever our views on Jempsons or Aldi (and does it really need to be either or?) some of the views I’ve seen expressed on social media about Jempsons have been very disappointing and no doubt hurtful to a family and a company who have given much to local good causes. Personally I absolutely appreciate how Aldi could bring many benefits to the town but that does not mean I want to see the back of Jempsons or wish them ill. They have given much to the life of Rye and surrounds and I hope that they continue to do so.

    • Quite agree.

      In declining to open on the sabbath, Jempsons not only treat their staff with consideration ( with which staff, in turn , treat
      the customers ) , but also the residents of Rye to less traffic .

      Of course this impacts profit margins, which business models for more competitive supermarkets ( driven by the merchants of greed and avarice in pursuit of shareholder dividends, happy to hammer British farmers into dust ) do not , resulting in price inflation for some products, but what price civilisation?

      Plus which fuel prices at Jempsons Peasmarsh , are significantly
      lower than many petrol stations across the county.

      Three cheers for Jempsons!

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