'A David and Goliath situation' – Seaton shopkeeper calls for compensation from supermarket giant Aldi amid construction chaos

A Seaton shopkeeper said she has considered closing down due to the detrimental effect the construction work of a new Aldi store has had on her business. 

Janet Phillips of outdoor clothing store 4 Seasons said she is currently losing more than £1,000 a week because of the disruptive construction work at the former Co-op supermarket site, between the Underfleet and Harbour Road, and the large amount of fencing erected directly outside her shop front. 

She is one of several businesses in and around the Grove complex to be affected by the work, some of which were featured on BBC Spotlight last week. 

Mrs Hewitt's family-run business has been trading in Seaton for well over 20 years – in its current position for six and half years, and prior to this in the town centre. 

Having made it through the Covid-19 pandemic and suffered two break-ins, which resulted in the loss of some £70,000 worth of stock, Mrs Hewitt said her business is now facing its most difficult time amid the construction of the new Aldi supermarket. 

Harris fencing was erected directly outside the 4 Seasons shop front eight weeks ago and Mrs Hewitt said there had been no consultation with business owners before this. 

Initially, the only access left to 4 Seasons and neighbouring independent shops was via a footpath off Fore Street and down a set of steps, meaning disabled and some elderly customers were unable to gain access. 

After several complaints, access via the footpath and down a ramp was created and Aldi eventually provided a pedestrian route from Harbour Road, via a maze of fencing through the car park, on May 26. 

However, Mrs Hewitt says many potential customers were still being put off by the construction site, lack of parking or have been unable to find the shop. The store is also missing out on essential trade from coach trip passengers, as access from the Underfleet, where the coaches park, is still completely blocked.

She said that local businesses had initially been told that the work on the car park would be completed on May 26, but it looks "nowhere near finished" with no new completion date given.

Spring is usually the busiest time of the year for 4 Seasons, with many walkers visiting the town and purchasing equipment, but Mrs Hewitt said trade is significantly reduced when compared to the same time last year.

The shop has lost more than £10,000 during the eight weeks of construction. It is currently struggling to cover its overheads and has had to remain closed on some days because the noise and dust from the building site. Deliveries have also had to be cancelled due to lack of access.

Mrs Hewitt said the disruption had left her disheartened and emotional, and she had at one point considered giving up and closing down the business.

"We are losing our livelihoods," she told Seaton Nub News.

"The way they are railroading over us is nothing short of appalling. They have a total disregard of how disruptive this has been for us."

However, the long-serving shopkeeper said she is now determined to keep fighting and eventually retire on her own terms, describing it as a "David and Goliath situation".

Mrs Hewitt has contacted Aldi on several occasions but said her correspondence has either been ignored or she has received a generic response apologising for the inconvenience. 

She is now calling for the supermarket giant to compensate her and other local businesses which have been affected by the construction work for loss of earnings – something she said Aldi has so far refused or ignored.

Supporters have also launched a petition backing the plight of 4 Seasons, which can be signed online here: https://www.change.org/p/giles-hurley-ceo-of-aldi-to-acknowledge-and-compensate-independent-businesses

Seaton Nub News contacted Aldi to ask whether they would be compensating local businesses. 

The supermarket chain said that they had created a pedestrian route through the car park from Harbour Road to allow greater access to those visiting the town centre, and were looking to open part of the car park as soon as it was practical and safe to do so.

They added that they were in regular contact with local businesses to ensure they are kept up to date with the construction timeline of the new store and had offered to fund advertising for those businesses in the local area, as well as additional signage on hoardings around the site, to ensure customers are aware that the businesses are open and trading as usual.

A spokesperson for Aldi added: "Our new store in Seaton will create jobs and provide affordable, high-quality groceries for residents. Although construction is on track and in line with the planning consent given, we apologise for any inconvenience caused during this time. We are doing all we can to improve access and maintain footfall to nearby businesses while work is ongoing."

The spokesperson gave no date for the completion of construction work or opening of the new Aldi store.

4 Seasons is currently aiming to open six days a week, 10.30am to 4pm, but you can message them via Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/liza.4seasons to check before visiting.