Redevelopment of a major site for a “mixed use” building project in Rye may include a new supermarket, but Aldi is keeping tight-lipped about whether it’s involved.
The German-owned supermarket chain did not respond to enquiries seeking to confirm rumours of its interest in building a Rye store. However, it has been confirmed that redevelopment of a site west of Winchelsea Road — identified in the Rye Neighbourhood Plan (RNP) as housing allocation site ‘H6’ — will commence next year, subject to planning permission being given. The RNP earmarked the location for 20 dwellings, but the mixed-use proposal now indicates that housing and commercial premises are planned.
Lidl denied any interest in the location but revealed: “Our teams are continuing to search for suitable sites in Rye.”
The site, majority-owned by Jonathan Jempson, chairman of haulage company John Jempson & Son, is currently occupied by tenants The Rye Emporium, JHB Engineering and Richard Cullinan Joinery. All tenants have been alerted that they will have to move by the end of this year, or possibly by early 2024.
Mr Jempson said it was likely the Jempson haulage business will be consolidated onto its nearby Slade Yard site. He added that he was pleased that the proposals for Winchelsea Road are for mixed use “as that brings employment opportunities for local people, something my sites have provided in Rye for many years”.
Given the age and condition of the existing buildings at the location, Mr Jempson indicated: “They are coming to the end of their useful life and so redevelopment of the site is the only option.”
Specifics of the redevelopment are yet to be revealed, but it’s known that a south-east based developer is working on a project and that the planning process will include a public consultation and exhibition later this year, when full details will be unveiled.
A much larger example of a mixed-use development is Waterford Park in Sevington near Ashford, where a 140-acre site is being developed by GSE Property Group and Mulberry Homes. This is set to include an Aldi supermarket, business premises, 400 homes, offices, drive-through restaurants, a petrol station, car showrooms and a 600-space truck stop.
If Rye does receive an Aldi supermarket, it will ignite the biggest shake-up of the town’s grocery retail business in decades. Jempson’s Supermarkets (which has no connection to John Jempson & Son) has for decades operated the only sizeable grocery stores in Rye and Peasmarsh, a state of affairs which has long given rise to concerns about a lack of competition.
In a bid to offer more competitive prices on 8,000 products, Jempson’s announced a link-up with Morrisons, rebranding themselves ‘Jempson’s together with Morrisons’. If Aldi does enter Rye, its low-prices will clearly present a significant challenge to the incumbent supermarket operator.
In early March, Aldi operated more than 990 stores in the UK but set itself a target of 1,200.
Image Credits: David Worwood .
The map accompanying the article appears to show the South Undercliff allotments as part of the H4 housing allocation site. The allotments are not included. Perhaps this error could be corrected.
Goodluck to Aldi if they locate to Rye, competition and choice is healthy for all.
It would be a shame for the town to loose such a big and interesting antique emporium but I suppose there are already a number of these in the town and it does look as if the buildings are in need of major money esp on re roofing .
But if Aldi or similar opens there it will in time, probably, kill off Jempsons in Rye . Not only on the issue of price but the fact that it is likely to be open on Sunday . Might also seriously impact costcutter and then we may have no petrol station?.
I cannot believe I’m going to say something supportive of Jempson’s, but now that they have partnered with Morrisons and the fresh produce has significantly dropped in price (currently lower than M&S / Waitrose), why the need for Aldi? Aldi, with its gaudy signage, wont compliment Rye. Would it not be nicer to swing in a different direction and have something more upmarket like a Waitrose which would fit in very nicely?
Some of the comments above are typical of the way Rye has gone over the years, “a shame to lose such an interesting antique emporium” and “something more upmarket like a Waitrose” certainly do not come from residents who are concerned about the cost of living.
So what do the ordinary Rye folks who either work to make a living or those that make weekly visits to the food bank think?
Rye is so much more than cobbled streets, antique shops and holiday homes.
Walk along the High Street and you’ll be lucky to see someone you know, walk round any super market in Hastings and you’re more than likely to see someone you know.
Don’t get me wrong, of course Rye needs it’s holiday makers, the way it’s set up it’s geared to them but let’s not forget that Rye has a lot of working people in low paid jobs that need to live.
It’s all a case of finding a balance.
There’s a continuing myth that Waitrose is expensive and only for the upmarket customer. The truth is their prices are no different to some other major supermarkets. In fact, before Jempson’s had partnered with Morrisons, Waitrose was a cheaper place to shop. I also believe many people like Waitrose because it offers a different selection of goods.
At present Jempson’s/Morrison prices have only dropped in the Peasmarsh store. And there really is a significant drop in prices for the better. Hopefully the Rye branch will soon follow suit. So my point is, what will be the point of an Aldi as they will be on a similar price level as the new Jempson’s /Morrisons? I also believe many people love Rye because of its historical beauty. We want new additions to compliment the area. Aldi signage is brash and incongruous with Rye. Someone like Waitrose is far more subtle. However, if the like of Waitrose are not interested in coming to the area then it’s irrelevant, more’s the pity. And I think you’ll also find that “ordinary folk who work to make a living” also shop at places like Waitrose and also want to maintain the beauty of Rye.
Completely agree with you Tony well said
Let’s hope we do indeed get some other superstore, Competition for the town will be good.so if people want to stay with Jempson good luck to them, we can then have a choice.
Vic v
Well said vic v
Jempsons prices haven’t gone down at all I’ve been in both stores rye and paesmarsh and the prices are diabolical I could not afford to shop in either one so I go to Aldi or Lidl as their prices are more reasonable. So bring on the Aldi to rye town I will certainly shop there. Rye needs a change in superstore so those rich older generation then have a choice rather than spend their money on doubled price things from Jempsons
How Rye has changed over the years from a busy market town, where we had 6 petrol stations, 6 banks,4 butchers numerous food stores, and many other stores for all the locals,and nearby villagers to come into town regularly too spend their money,and this was before we had any kind of supermarkets here, So let’s forget about all the negativity on here, and give the people and out lying villages the chance to shop in Rye regularly again, instead of travelling afar,to get their weekly shop.
The suggestion that Jempsons/Morrisons and Waitrose might be competitive with Aldi and Lidl is an interesting one but it’s not just about price. Range and quality are important to budget shoppers as well. It’s pretty clear to me from the years of comment and debate that Rye wants an alternative supermarket, Aldi and Lidl are the only ones to have any interest in coming here so let’s encourage them. To suggest Aldi’s signage would be an eyesore in Rye’s landscape is laughable when you look at the dereliction and neglect on display as you enter Rye from the Hastings direction. Perhaps Rye News could do a shopping basket comparison ( including journey costs ) ??
I have lived in the Rye area for over twenty years and when I tell friends that the whole town, which has a sizeable population and which attracts visitors from across the world, only has one “supermarket”, which frequently runs out of basic foods and doesn’t open on Sundays, they cannot believe it. Rye has long since been left behind and the current monopoly needs to be challenged. In my opinion, the sooner we get any supermarket other than Jempsons, the better.
Someone who actually talks sense, well done. Some of the comments on here about not needing another supermarket, is unbelievable. Let’s hope this happens
I’d also prefer a Waitrose or Sainsbury’s not everyone from Rye or those that live in Rye want to shop in a cheap supermarket.
How about more people shopped locally full stop, support some smaller shops like in the old days !
I’m more interested on how they are going to manage the traffic coming out on Winchelsea Road especially turning right.
It’s about time Grist Mill site was tidied up and those other derelict looking Rye Laundry Buildings need demolishing, the area developed purposefully. Gateway to Rye once arched and made from stone now looks a right mess and has done for years.
Simple, bulldoze the Grist Mill and put a roundabout in, of course between the road access and flooding it’ll probably fail to get past the planning stage.
It should be evident to anyone in Rye that the supermarkets most likely to prosper in the town, in opposition to the higher priced Jempson’s, are the lower priced Aldi and Lidl. It would be ridiculous to have a second supermarket at a similar price point as Jempson’s. For some people to suggest that Waitrose prices are “no different to some other major supermarkets” is wrong and misleading. For evidence, let me quote the latest Which? magazine research, which costed a basket of 40 items in May as follows: Aldi £68.60, Lidl £70.51, Asda £76.45, Sainsbury’s £77.13, Tesco £77.56, Morrisons £79.09, Ocado £83.90, Waitrose £86.91. This confirms what we all know about supermarket prices in the UK. It also places Morrisons at the higher end of the spectrum, which presents a concern for Jempson’s bid to lower its prices to compete with an Aldi or Lidl. Regarding the road situation, what is needed is a bypass for the A259, which would involve another bridge over the river. This has been proposed in the past, but continues to look unlikely owing to financial constraints.
It really is not all about price in this town, Jempsons will always have their supporters, its more about a choice,a level playing field for all,whichever day they decide to do their weekly shop.
Don’t let’s start talking about a by pass you don’t know what stones you will be turning over .
Just build a new competitive supermarket
Well done to Jempsons supermarket for sticking to their family traditional beliefs, Europe supermarkets close on Sundays & it’s great to have a day off, I worked in Rye 15yrs ago & the cost of living was always a big bear,
Jempsons Supermarket has had a monopoly for years now. Their price point means that the majority are already online shopping or travelling to Hastings or Ashford to buy quality food at an affordable price. I think therfore, Jempsons will keep their customer base and Aldi/Lidl will clean up the rest of us (the majority). Think positive, it will bring people to the town who don’t otherwise visit.
As to Sunday opening, I am sure the wealthy retirees can go shopping whenever they like. Unfortunately, many work long hours to make ends meet these days, often meaning that Sunday is their only available day.
It is notable that the majority of the comments here are from men! Most of the shopping is still done by women, who have a far keener eye on the purse strings.
Please don’t class retirees as ‘wealthy’! This topic has arisen before and to be judged as wealthy just because we are retired is inaccurate and insensitive. Yes, I can shop whenever I choose, to avoid crowded shops, but this doesn’t mean that I am wealthy. Far from it, but I manage, as many of us have to, with our State Pension as our only income.
Must agree there Sue, How many people can remember when the town had an abundance of shops for locals,sadly all gone now, when people from the outlying villages also contributed so much to this town,Aldi could well be the answer to lure everyone back,especially with adequate free parking, so they can also pop into Rye,for their other essentials.
We should be careful what we wish for. Another large supermarket will not transform the fortunes of Rye. Creating a bunch of minimum wage low skilled jobs will not solve the employment issues either. Locals cannot afford to buy homes on minimum wage jobs. Do you really think the thrifty bargain hunters who shop at an Aldi will walk into Rye and spend money with the small businesses in the town? I don’t! Do you really think a bunch of locals on minimum wage will help the town prosper? I don’t!
Rye needs to be more ambitious. I would rather see Rye focus on a vision to attract a high value add manufacturer or two and developing a technology park. We need businesses that can offer the people of Rye skilled jobs and careers that pay a decent living wage. Then Rye will prosper year round.
We have an awesome butchers in Rye. Steve and Andy provide an excellent service, nothing is too much trouble. They’re open from around 7am most days, the quality of their produce is far superior to any supermarket and they’re not expensive. Crying out for another large supermarket in Rye risks putting our beloved small businesses out of business.
I tend to agree with Patrick – I live in the Silverhill area of Hastings (but work in Rye). A few years ago, Silverhill used to have a butcher’s shop, a greengrocers, a newsagents, and a couple of convenience stores.
Then Asda opened a supermarket nearby – within a year or so we lost the butcher’s, the greengrocers, the newsagent and both the convenience stores. They simply couldn’t compete.
Many of the abandoned shops are still empty to this day.
Although I appreciate the need for cheaper shopping, a new big-chain supermarket will inevitably lead to the closure of the independent ‘proper shops’ on Cinque Ports Street, and quite possibly Jempsons too, leading to empty, boarded up premises in the centre of town.
I fear Patrick is a little out of touch with the reality of Rye. I’m sure not it was intended but his statement “do we really think a bunch of locals on minimum wage will help the town prosper” sounds a bit like an insult. Historically the population of Rye has had quite a number of what he would class as unskilled jobs available, it’s as well to remember that it is those who occupy those jobs that keep the cogs turning to drive the prosperity he craves. Not paying those people enough to live on is wrong and a matter for business and government to resolve but to suggest minimum wage workers make no contribution is also wrong. To suggest they are unskilled is wrong too, there are many workers in our local overgrown convenience store and other retail establishments who have amazing skills in dealing with a disgruntled public. I say bring on our first real supermarket, all the better if it’s Aldi who pay above the industry standard – give a chance for the low paid to better their wages AND shop at affordable prices on our doorstep
Well said, Simon, I entirely agree, and would just add that although widely known in the town as Patrick (u3a, Rye Harbour, etc) it wasn’t me!