THERE were mixed reviews for a new supermarket in Swindon when the plans went on public display yesterday.

The supermarket chain Aldi has announced it wants to build a network of between five and seven stores in Swindon.

The company announced its plans as it launched an informal consultation on building a third store in the town in Latham Road, near Thamesdown Drive, in north Swindon.

Swindon is already home to Aldi’s regional distribution centre and has its head office at South Marston Park.

It also has a store in Hobley Drive, Stratton St Margaret, and has planning permission for a second store in Drove Road.

The new 990 sq m neighbourhood store would include 100 car parking spaces and landscaping. The company says it would also be built to an energy-efficient design.

Members of the public dropped in to Abbey Meads Community Primary School on Monday afternoon to view the plans.

Philippa Kennard, 43, of Groundwell West, said: “It would be within walking distance from me so I haven’t got a problem with it.

“I am surprised at the number of stores they want around Swindon.

“But having said that, look at the number of Tescos there are.

“I am concerned for the local shops at St Andrew’s Ridge.

“I don’t think I would do a major shop there but it’s useful for the odd shop.”

But Tony Robinson, 65, who has a household and gardening stall at Blunsdon Indoor Market, said there was concern among market traders.

“The problem we’ve got is that we’ve only got small buying power. These big companies can buy whole lines of things and sell them cheaply. We can’t compete with that,” he said.

“I think this is close enough for Blunsdon people to use it instead of us.

“There are already too many large supermarkets and these people are talking about putting seven up in Swindon.”

Local councillors, including Peter Stoddart, Peter Heaton-Jones and Vera Tomlinson were also at the exhibition.

They said they had heard from some local shopkeepers that they were concerned that the supermarket would take business away from them.

Coun Stoddart said: “Some residents are also not happy that they moved here because they had everything around them and are now concerned they might lose their local convenience store.”

Aldi Stores’ property director Richard Williams said: “We’ve had some very positive comments from people and some comments from others that they are concerned about their district centre, which we understand and are seeking to address. But, broadly, it has been positive.

“We work as a limited line discounter with a 900-product range so we sit very comfortably with independent stores because we don’t dominate in one particular area.”