Permission for a second Aldi store in Ennis has been granted by Clare County Council.

Planning was sanctioned by the County Council subject to ten conditions for a change of use from retail warehouse to a discount food store at Westpoint Retail Park on the Kilrush Rd. The application had been lodged by Brian Lohan.

In 2018, the planning authority’s decision to grant the change of use to a supermarket was appealed to An Bord Pleánala.

Aldi have said they will create 30 new jobs at the store on top of fifty jobs in construction with an opening date of late 2023 targeted. The German supermarket chain already has stores in Ennistymon, Killaloe and Kilrush plus another Ennis stored located on Francis St. In May, Clare County Council denied Aldi planning permission for a store in Shannon.

Several local businesses objected to the development including Tesco Ireland, O’Sullivan & Hansbury Motors; Harnett Homes and Estate Developers Ltd, Ryan’s Centra, Clonroadmore and World of Wonder in the Westpoint Retail Park. Local residents also made submissions to the planning authority as did Ennis National School who wished that facilitation of a walking bus be taken into account.

Gareth Ruane, senior executive planner with Clare County Council in his report noted that the existing building “has been underutilised for some time and its redevelopment at this location would be positive and enhance the vibrancy of this particular part of the town”. He felt the application for a retail store complied with the objectives and zoning of the County Development Plan.