By James Wells
Aldi is arguing it is offering “a unique takeaway liquor service” that has been “hugely popular elsewhere in Australia” to apply for additional liquor licenses in Western Australia.
In a Public Interest Assessment (PIA) supplied as part of the liquor licence process, a representative for Aldi has outlined why it is applying for a new liquor licence to the WA Department of Racing, Gaming and Liquor, at a site located at 17 Mead Street Kalamunda – approximately 25 kilometres east of Perth.
“Aldi has purposefully chosen the Kalamunda location with a unique takeaway liquor service that has proven to be hugely popular elsewhere in Australia,” the report said.
“The business model has huge popularity elsewhere in the country and is proving just as popular in this state.
“Aldi attracts its own loyal patrons who become regular repeat customers. Some even call themselves Aldiholics and have a dedicated Facebook page,” the report said.
Aldi’s Kalamunda site competes with a nearby BWS store and Liquorland.
Aldi commenced its application liquor license process for the Kalamunda store on 9 December 2016 and notices of objection can be made to the Department before Wednesday 10 May 2017
Aldi is also applying for a liquor licence for a store in Rockingham which was submitted on 13 April with any objections able to be made prior to 4 June 2017.
Aldi has faced issues with liquor licences as reported in TheShout last year.
By the beginning of February, Aldi had 19 sites open in Western Australia and announced a further 14 sites would be built in 2017 including locations at Morley, Cockburn, Lakelands, South Fremantle, Spearwood, Banksia Grove and Secret Harbour.
While Aldi expects to have 33 sites open in Western Australia by the end of this year, long term estimates are in the vicinity of 70 stores for the state.