Aldi given go ahead to move Sudbury store into Homebase site

Babergh District Council has approved a bid by Aldi to take on the vacant site in Waldingfield Road in Sudbury, which includes dividing the shop into two retail units.

The plans involve external alterations, the reconfiguration of the store entrance and the formation of a second store entrance, works to facilitate it being used as a food store and "minor alterations" to the car park layout.

As part of the proposals, the supermarket will move from its current store in the town centre, in Girling Street, to its new location.

The chain will be moving from its current store in Girling Street (Image: Google Maps)

An officer's delegated report highlighted that a sequential test was passed, with the overall conclusions on the impact on the town centre considered.

"These impacts are characterised by the loss of an important retail store directly adjacent to the town centre which is able to benefit the centre through linked trips," the report reads.

"There is the potential for the Aldi store to be replaced by another use, which may well mitigate the loss of some of these linked trips, although this will be accompanied by further trade loss from town centre stores."

It adds that while a "negative impact" on the town centre is "unavoidable", it can "be mitigated by encouraging the future use of the Girling Street site to be one which continues to attract trips to the wider town centre area."

Officers added the effect is not considered a "significant" adverse impact in relation to national policy framework.

A spokesman for the supermarket chain said in October 2025 it is hoped the new store can open in early 2027.

It is not clear who is earmarked to move into the proposed second, smaller unit.

Homebase has been closed since early 2025.