Jempson’s says customers using its Rye store contribute at least £2million to other shops in the town each year. The figure is the latest twist in the ongoing battle between the local retailer and international store Aldi, who are hoping to build a new supermarket on Winchelsea Road.
A letter from Peacock and Smith, consultants working for Jempson’s and partner Morrisons, was uploaded to Rother District Council ‘s planning portal on Monday, February 10. It says a market research company interviewed 113 shoppers at the Rye store on three days in late January.
Analysis of the small survey by the consultants says 37% of Jempson’s customers “also visit other facilities in Rye town centre as part of their visit to the store…on average Jempson’s shoppers spend £8.19 in Rye town centre (excluding the spend at Jempson’s).”
The consultants also claim a total of 708,940 customers visited Jempson’s in Rye in 2024 “which could have generated a total of 262,108 visits to the rest of the town centre, with a total spend of £2.14m per annum in other shops in the town centre by Jempson’s customers.”
The new Aldi supermarket is part of the proposed new development on Winchelsea Road, which also includes homes and retirement housing. As Rye News revealed earlier this month, National Highways has demanded a three month delay to planning approval until its concerns about access from the A259 are answered.
The letter from Peacock and Smith also repeats the claim the new Aldi threatens the financial viability of Jempson’s in Rye. “The impact of the proposed Aldi on Jempson’s would be to reduce its turnover by 31%, which would be significantly adverse, as it would bring into question the continued viability of the store…. Even if the store were not to close, its turnover would be significantly reduced, and the number of linked trips would fall.”
Despite Jempson’s objections, letters from local people uploaded to the RDC planning portal show considerable support for a new Aldi.
You can read the full letter here.
Image Credits: Nick Forman .
This demonstrates why things hardly ever get done in this country, or if they do eventually get done then it has taken so long that the reason for it has moved on. Jempson’s and its consultants are spraying unprovable figures around in order to confuse. Meanwhile, the local populace awaits the long awaited breaking of a retail monopoly in the town.
… why would Jempsons’ consultant’s figures be any less ‘provable’ than the ones Aldi and it’s numerous consultants are declaring?
Visit Rother District Council planning portal and read RR/2024/976/P
Document title: ‘Statement of Community involvement’ page 13, Review of Comments.
85% in favour, 11% don’t know, 4% against
Based I would say on provable input.
Interesting reading, of course visitors will pop in their store whilst visiting the town, but the real question is how many Rye people shop out of town, that is the question Rother planners should be asking people,and why, many people i speak to say they are too expensive and it’s time we had a choice, as a monopoly is not healthy for anyone.
There already is a choice. The deliveries from virtually every supermarket chain to our street in Rye are endless, whilst others elect to shop out of town as you note. Aldi setting up in Rye would not end those behaviours – but what it would do is generate significant additional traffic in and out of Rye from those coming to Aldi – which our existing road network cannot support. Is that also a price worth paying?
Try telling a little old lady who only wants a few basic items, to order them online for delivery then pay the delivery cost (all supermarkets charge for deliveries if the value is less than a certain amount). And how about the deliveries by supermarkets being reduced by shoppers frequenting a Rye Aldi?
One of the main reasons people shop out of town is to reduce costs. Not to mention there is a lot more pollution produced driving to Aldi in Hastings from Rye and its surrounds, then there would be driving into Rye itself.
We have excellent local shops that cater to the basic needs of many – not just “little old ladies”. Jempsons obviously being one of them. Supermarket deliveries would only reduce for people who want what Aldi offers – wouldn’t change anything for most. What about the pollution of all the people driving into Rye from all around for Aldi – same issue, just relocated to our doorsteps.
I drive into Hastings for my shopping can’t afford jempsons and the only shops most in the town use are the chemists and bakers most of the other shops are just catering to visitors not locals
I certainly nip round to other shops after a trip to Jempson’s, so I find the proposition entirely plausible. Jempson’s, who employ local people, and do a good deal for our community, take a an awful lot of stick about their pricing, but without relitigating those discussions here, it’s worth bearing in mind that nationally between April 2022 and Jan 2025, The Food Foundation’s ‘Basic Basket’ of goods has gone up by nearly 30%… That’s a staggering increase for household’s to bear. The last budget has added another 1/2 a percentage point to inflation over the next two years too. So, competition is absolutely relevant to the discussion, but there are much bigger currents at play, and an Aldi isn’t a panacea, alas.
Not a panacea no, but potentially a boost to the local economy not a death knell – if you stopped going to Jempsons and saved some money at Aldi would you also, as Jempsons consultants imply, stop spending money anywhere else in Rye ?
Possibly not the death knell, no, Simon. At least I hope not. But as all retailers will tell us, business is tough in this environment, so it will inevitably have an impact, and probably more particularly on some businesses than others. I use Jempsons when I drop the kids at school or the station. We frequently nip up to the cobbler or Rye DIY or The Bargain Box while I’m there. Last week it was convenient to zip across to Cafe des Fleur for flowers. The Thursday market is another draw. If I have to go to Tenterden, say, I’ll use Tesco, Timpsons, Webbs etc. That’s merely anecdotal, but drawing people away from the town centre cannot help but influence the balance and character of things in Rye, for better or worse.
Anyway, look forward to seeing you in one of Rye’s other (licensed) business premises soon!
Jemspons are too expensive but equally lots of issues will be caused by traffic, it’s quite obvious… Despite the article claiming local support on the planning portal, there are also a LOT of local people who are against the idea but won’t post on the portal because of the reaction it will get from others who do want it (you have to provide personal details to object). Everyone against it is just watching quietly and relying on the Jemspons objections. The cause of the issue is jempsons prices so they are somewhat to blame here, but we cannot have the traffic issues that it will cause… It will have all sorts of impacts on the town shops and visitors.
I’ve been saying this all along. People use Jempson’s car parking arrangement to visit Rye. Aldi’s proposed site is too far out for people to use its proposed carpark in the same way.
The traffic issue, though, is THE reason to say no to this development.
It seems to me that Jempsons are obviously frightened that they will loose a sizeable chunk of their business.
To claim that they bring people to Rye, who then go on to spend money in other parts of the town might not be entirely accurate. I’m sure that Aldi will have the same effect.
Appointing Planning consultants and carrying out surveys will always produce opinions that the pay masters want to hear.
I believe they can quite easily coexist with Aldi . How is it that Waitrose are happy to trade along with Tesco ( Within 100 metres of each other ) in Hawkhurst.
If Jempsons believe that they will not be able to make it a viable business if Aldi come to Rye, why don’t they sell their site to Aldi. The issue of extra traffic at the strand will no longer exist.
May be then the Strand site can be use to build ‘Affordable’ housing along with some business units to create much needed local employment.
I find that with the joining up of Jempsons with Morrisons, the overall supply of goods seems to have declined, especially on the fruit and vegetable shelves, some of which are empty even before noon – I’m sure that is why delivery has not been made (from Peasmarsh?) rather than the goods having been sold. A day ago I wanted to buy 2 kilos of loose King Edward or Maris Piper potatoes, suitble for making mash, and neither was available. White onions have disaopeared completely and I could find no trace of plain breadcrumbs. None of these items qualify as exotic and consequently in short supply. Looks like Jempsons could do with some challenging competition.
….. or is it that with the keener pricing of Morrisons branded goods that the stock sells faster? Just asking – but we have noticed that the price of many products in Jempsons is now competitive with Tesco or our home delivery Ocado, in the case of the former without the associated cost of travelling to St Leonards or Tenterden. I have always liked Aldi for their prices (and their quality incidentally) – but rarely do you see the major brands in their stores.
I use the 101 bus service between Rye & Hastings and note that very many Rye residents are returning from Hastings having done their grocery shopping in Morrisons and/or M&S. Just saying.
From what I can recall Aldi don’t sell tobacco products or scratch cards / Lottery
Whereas Jempsons do which probably make up most of their profits and customer footprint, if Jempsons stopped tobacco and Lottery they wouldn’t be giving half as much to as they say “local businesses”
Another twist in the battle of supermarket
It’s very obvious Jempson don’t like a bit of competition, surely their loyal
Customers will stay with them if Aldi comes to town,
Also train and bus passengers will also use Jempson’s they won’t go to Aldi in Winchelsea road the majority of people won’t even know about where Aldi is.
As for rye people doing there weekly shop I know people who shop as far as Ashford Aldi to do there shopping stop on the way home for a pub meal with the money they saved by not shopping their weekly shopping in Jempson. Myself and many friends and people I know do hope Aldi comes to town
Vic v
Vic,
Good Morning.
Jempsons don’t have loyal customers. They have ‘trapped’ customers and those that don’t have to care about the prices.
Aldi , lidl visited every time we go shopping. It’s cheaper ( not for the environment) to drive to Hastings, go to two decently priced stores , do a larger shop . Everytime we do this we are saving minimum £50.00 each time
Hi All,
I do not have a preference either way.
Though I currently rarely shop at Jempsons.
Oddly enough when last in Jempsons I noticed a smartly dressed gentleman possibly middle aged with a clipboard being ignored at the door of the shop, hence the tepid response figures.
Looked a nice chap, so I stopped to talk to him.
He mentioned that he was conducting a survey and would I like to to take part ?
I was happy to.
I must confess I have been a part of teams that formulate surveys concerning both the Energy and Financial industries.
We discussed the usual questions, how did you arrive at the store. In my case on foot Was it to purchase particular items or services I believe he was ticking the appropriate boxes.
He also asked if I then went on shop elsewhere in Rye. To which I replied no actually I would end up at the store rather than commencing my visit to Town from it, (Although I appreciate most motorists might) and that would depend on the time of day
I then asked if there was BOX that could be ticked to that effect., which flummoxed him somewhat. and we parted ways.
Ah,the vagaries of surveys and their results
The questions the answers and of course he or she who creates them and he or she who answers them ! !
Sorry for the waffle But decisions by Survey,
REALLY
I’m torn . On the one hand Aldi is clearly going to add to shopping diversity/ choices AND be open Sundays .
On other hand Jemson by implication thinks Rye is too small to support two supermarkets unlike Hastings / Ore or Ashford . Although maybe not – Tenterden has both a Tesco and a Waitrose.
Irrespective of the local support for Aldi I am surprised why National Highways has not killed off the scheme by now . The road access into Rye from the A259 is already choked with traffic much of the day.Aldi traffic onto the highway will bring that area of the town to a stop Laurie
Maybe the time has come to start thinking about a Rye by-pass road.
Don’t hold your breath. A Rye bypass was mooted, discussed and promptly kicked in to touch some thirty plus years ago. If I remember correctly the preferred (and probably the only) practical route planned was to the south of Rye, and would now cut through the ‘strategic gap’. In short, unless there is a dramatic change of this ‘strategy’, you have more chance of scrounging a ride on a Virgin Galactic space trip than getting a bypass around Rye.
Sorry, this is nonsense.
Rye. Like it or not is going to grow. Three sights earmarked for new housing. Possibly a fourth.
Rye will NEED another supermarket. Visiting the town, we all Visit the town when and if we need to. Tourists will go there anyway. Its why they came.
Traffic on our old roads with old houses is a huge problem. A 20 mph should be imposed all around Rye and just slow the whole thing down and preserve this beautiful town.
Maybe just maybe a deal could be done with Aldi to relocate to New road when martello demolish the school, the area needed for the supermarket could then become housing, at Winchelsea road, and there would still be room for a few new houses fronting and adjacent to the site at new road. No excuses about height of the houses, or objections by highways, or flood plains,now the banks of our rivers have been heightened.
There’s a greater density of population in the area to the west of Rye: an eastern placement would mean a lot more road traffic traversing the town to get to the east side for their shopping.
Just a thought ,Aldi has a store in Romford Essex ,Right next to the busy through road and I mean busy ,I see no reason why there should be a problem with the access road ,The Rye traffic is probably only 20% of volume in comparison.
There is absolutely no doubt that Rye needs another accessible supermarket but the suggested site for the Aldi will cause even more traffic congestion in an area that is already prone to traffic jams.
Rye Harbour now gets far more traffic and it really needs traffic lights at the end of the Harbour Road. Having a busy junction between there and the Strand Roundabout and the amount of parking that occurs in South Undercliff making the main trunk road into single track is all a recipe for summer chaos.
Many local people will not queue up to come to Rye when there is insufficient parking.
There was always a suggestion to build a petrol station and retail outlet on the old Freda Gardham site which would if built have negligible effects on traffic congestion.
The plans for more houses on the Freda Gardham site are very unimaginative and could easily be changed to enable space for a new Supermarket and have additional houses by utilising the access that is being used at the moment for the work on the Eastern Tidal Wall.
Apparently the Planners don’t believe we need any more petrol stations as we will all be using electric or walking!
The only electric charging is at Salts Farm which is too far to walk into Rye from there.
Rye has become a very successful tourist destination and even in the winter there are shortages of car parking spaces. With all the Air BnB’s and the high level of occupancy in the B & Bs and Hotels surely a whole town approach should be agreed rather than what appears to be a piecemeal approach to planning for Rye.
Supermarkets, Electric Vehicle Charging, Housing and Car Parking need to be properly addressed or those of us who live and work in Rye will not be spending any money there.
Isn’t what you’re advocating a Neighbourhood Plan ? We have one of those https://rdcpublic.blob.core.windows.net/website-uploads/2025/01/RNP-Reviewed-Master-31-Dec-24-ATBK.pdf
Many thanks for the Plan.
Unfortunately it is so long and wordy that I doubt many in the local community will have read it all.
It also does not prioritise the major issues of the Town.
There are also some surprising omissions in such a long document but I may have missed them, relating to Agriculture and Fishing. The green spaces are not all included that exist in Rye and it looks as if one will soon be built on.
There needs to be a review just of housing, parking, roads and amenities for the town.
Rye needs another Supermarket and the large site at Freda Gardham makes far more sense than anywhere else.
A partial solution to road access to the proposed Aldi site would be to convert the junction of the A259 (Winchelsea Rd) with Harbour Road to a small roundabout. This would allow vehicles approaching from the old Kettle o’ Fish roundabout to turn round a couple of hundred metres further on from the planned access road and vehicles could then simply turn left into the Aldi site — radically reducing any traffic congestion. Given the expansion of Rye Harbour Road’s industrial estates, a roundabout on the main road has become a necessity, not a luxury. I’d urge National Highways and ESCC to consider this option. It would make the junction safer if it happened anyway.
Don’t it always seem to go That you don’t know what you got ’til it’s gone? They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.
Your older readers will recognise these words from Joni Mitchell’s Big Yellow Taxi (although I’m sure she’s probably never heard of Aldi or Rye). Obviously, not an exact comparison with the focus of this debate but the reason for mentioning it is that I’m writing this from a small market town in the north of the Dordogne which has many similarities with Rye including an almost identical population.
Where it differs though is that it has four supermarkets (all on the edge of the town) including Aldi, Lidl (I wonder if they are now looking at Rye) an Intermarche and (a very large) E. Leclerc along with two (large) garden centres a DIY superstore and an Electrical superstore. Fantastic facilities for all but the consequence is that the guts have been ripped out of the High Street (although the French equivalent of business rates is also an issue in this regard). At least 30% of all shops/businesses are closed. Imagine that in Rye High Street!
I think we all know that there’s a delicate balance in Rye. If we damage the High Street we run the risk of ruining the townscape and if we ruin the townscape we kill Rye’s main industry which, as we also all know, is tourism.
PS There are no potholes round here. Must be a lesson there somewhere!
As you say in your final paragraph, tourism is now Rye’s main industry and 80% of the shops in Rye High Street noe exist primarily to serve the tourist population anyway, not the locals. How many of those tourists shop for groceries in that High Street – none I suspect, as even if they actually wanted groceries there’s no grocery shops left other than in Cinque Ports Street. And so I remain unconvinced that any new supermarket is going to alter the content of our High Street any further than has already been done by the advance of tourism.
Uhm…the point I was making John is about “out of town” shopping as opposed to being close to the town centre. The shops that have closed here are not grocery shops but others who now find it difficult to attract footfall when everyone is driving to supermarkets on the edge of town. The only semi-busy day is Friday (Market Day) which everyone benefits from. Also, being a local, I try and buy as much in Rye as I possibly can all along the High Street and other streets as well.