Aldi is on schedule to open its third Maitland supermarket in September.
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The company will open a store in The Hunter Mall in The Levee.
Fairfax Media announced plans for the supermarket earlier this month after a liquor licence application revealed Aldi’s plans to move into The Hunter Mall and not into a property it owns in Elgin Street, the site of the former Sam’s Warehouse.
The application had been publicly displayed between Kmart and Best and Less, where the store will ultimately open its doors.
A spokesperson for The Hunter Mall owners said the move was not only great news for businesses in the mall but for The Levee as a whole.
“The company is working towards a September opening but there is still a lot of tenancy works that have to be carried out between now and then,” the spokesperson said.
“There are a couple of development applications that still have to go before council and then the store will have to be fitted out.”
The spokesperson said the inclusion of Aldi in The Hunter Mall had the potential to increase revenue in the centre by about 30 per cent.
“Everyone is very positive about the news and it goes to show the confidence big companies do have in Maitland.
“This was a much sought-after site, with a few businesses vying for the tenancy,” the spokesperson said.
Asked what Aldi’s plans were for the former Sam’s Warehouse site, the spokesperson said to “watch this space”.
Aldi announced on January 4 it was pleased to confirm the company had reached an agreement with the owners of The Hunter Mall to take up a tenancy opportunity in the centre in mid 2017.
The news was applauded by long-time Maitland businessman Patrick Lane of Ken Lane Menswear.
“This will be great for the CBD – fantastic – and will further consolidate our position as a regional centre.
“Aldi will bring more people back into the heart of the city,” Mr Lane said.
The Hunter Mall spokesperson said the delivery of an Aldi in the centre further “secures and anchors” the centre’s position as a new and vibrant shopping location.
“In an environment of uncertainty people will now see us as a place to come for a first-class shopping experience,” the spokesperson said.
“We’re expecting to draw customers from the wider Hunter Valley and Cessnock.”
