ALDI LINED UP TO ANCHOR NEW STOKE DISTRICT CENTRE WITH 15,000 SQ FT SUPERSTORE

Aldi, the supermarket chain, has agreed terms with Stoke-on-Trent Regeneration – a joint venture between St Modwen Properties PLC and Stoke City Council – to anchor the District Centre within the 400 acre Trentham Lakes development, Stoke on Trent, with a £3 million, 15,000 sq ft superstore.

Aldi is the first covenant to be signed up to the planned District Centre and construction of the anchor store will start in September, with building works scheduled to complete in April 2009. At the same time, a 99-space car park and five speculative 1,000 sq ft units will be built, the latter of which St Modwen is currently marketing to prospective retailers on a leasehold basis.

The District Centre, a long-awaited addition to the successful Trentham Lakes complex which provides over 20 million sq ft of commercial and residential property development, is also planned to comprise a community centre and a pub/restaurant.

Euan Lindsay, St Modwen’s development manager, said:

“The District Centre was proposed at the initial stages of the Trentham Lakes development and it is very satisfying, following the long planning process, to finally be able to serve the surrounding residential areas and to provide much needed local facilities for the business occupiers.

“Securing a strong covenant such as Aldi, is having a positive impact on the five 1,000 sq ft retail units. We are currently in talks with several prospective retailers and will look to announce details of additional deals taking place over the coming months.”

Mark Hewlett, regional property director, Aldi says:

“Traditionally the Stoke-on-Trent conurbation has always attracted strong sales for Aldi and we see this opportunity at Trentham as an excellent addition to our portfolio of stores in North Staffordshire.

Ramsden acted for Stoke-on-Trent Regeneration, whilst Aldi was represented by Rae & Co. of Stoke.

For further information, please contact:

Charlotte McCarthy

PR Manager

St Modwen Properties plc

Tel: 07970 949 914

Email: cmccarthy@stmodwen.co.uk

Paul Raymer

Howle Chapman Raymer

Tel: 0121 313 1000

Euan Lindsay

Development manager

St Modwen Properties plc

Tel: 01782 281844