A second Aldi for Athlone is being proposed as the anchor tenant for a new, six-block commercial and retail development planned for the Roscommon Road opposite Ganlys.
Two local garage owners - Donie Kenny and John O’Meara - are the men behind the application in the townland of Bogganfin, which will have road frontage on both the N61 Roscommon Road, and the slip road leading to the eastbound M6.
Coincidentally, the existing Aldi store in Athlone is located right next to Donie Kenny’s tyre and automotive business, behind the Diskin Centre, at the eastern end of the Golden Island complex.
According to a statement on the Aldi website, the firm “is actively seeking sites in ... Athlone”.
“We have an ambitious investment and development programme, and that means we’re always looking for sites with a catchment population in excess of 10,000 and ideally suited on principal roads with main road frontage,” said a spokesperson.
The application is looking for permission for another boilerplate version of the German multiple, which will be complemented by six 2- and 3-storey blocks ranging in size between 430 sq m, and 3,800 sq m.
The developers are hoping to construct a new district centre, similar to the one in Monksland beside the Athlone Springs complex.
The plans include a convenience store, a car showroom, retail units, a pharmacy and medical centre, with office space above each.
An existing house and sheds on the site will have to be demolished, and access to the centre will be via a new road from the existing Ganlys roundabout.
The site is zoned for a district centre, in line with the Monksland/Bealnamulla Local Area Plan, and as such difficulties with the application should be kept to a minimum.
