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.
