WITH Knutsford’s popular Aldi store closed until October as it undergoes extension works, Knutsford Town Council is pushing for residents to shop locally.

Some of the town’s many high street traders have backed the idea on social media, with an emphasis on supporting local traders.

The town council-owned Knutsford Market Hall, in Silk Mill Street, has been one of the focal points for the campaign, with traders reporting an upturn in shoppers since the supermarket closed on Sunday, August 6.

Alan Bolshaw, of Alan’s Fruit and Veg in the market hall, said: “Since Aldi opened, trade has dipped, but I have noticed that this week, already, it has gone up.

“One of the big problems for this market is the parking – several people would come but they find the parking terrible. That doesn’t help us, and of course you can park for free at Aldi.

“I sell all nice local stuff. It’s nice and fresh – I drive around the whole of Cheshire picking things up here there and everywhere.

“It’s the same with the butcher. It’s all friendly, we all have a good time and so doi the customers.

“You are supposed to enjoy shopping – you do a lot of it so you have got to try. I am hoping to bring a few people in and keep them. A lot of people don’t know where we are.”

The market hall is set to undergo an overhaul in the near future, at a cost of around £100,000.

Adam Keppel-Green, Knutsford Town Council clerk, said: "It is a great excuse to shop local by visiting the numerous independent traders in Knutsford. The Market Hall offers your meats, poultry, pet foods, fruits and veg as well as household essentials. Knutsford also has Woods Butchers, Mr Simms for your sweet treats and Vikings is a treasure-trove of housewares and DIY supplies."

An Aldi spokesman said: “Our Knutsford store has closed for an eight-week period, during which extensive works to the store extension will be undertaken.

“This will include increasing our retail area by 36 per cent, parking numbers by 17 spaces and improving facilities for our staff.

“The store will reopen with an exciting new layout at 8am on Thursday, October 5 and we look forward to welcoming both our existing and new customers to the re-launch.

“In the meantime, we would encourage our shoppers to visit our stores in Northwich and Holmes Chapel.”