First Aldi in Richmond borough gets green light at Kew Retail Park

The first Aldi in Richmond borough is moving closer to reality at Kew Retail Park, marking a quiet precedent for discount retail in a borough that has long held out against the German chain. While neighbouring Hounslow has welcomed several Aldi stores over the past decade, Richmond has remained a holdout until now, making this arrival something of a local milestone. The new store will replace the empty Sports Direct unit just off Mortlake Road, and signage plans have now been submitted to the council following approval of the change-of-use earlier in 2026.

Richmond Council has approved the conversion of the former Sports Direct unit at Kew Retail Park to accommodate the borough’s first Aldi, with signage plans now submitted as the project moves forward.

What’s planned for Kew Retail Park

The discount supermarket will occupy the unit that Sports Direct vacated at the retail park, just off Mortlake Road near the junction with the South Circular. Aldi submitted signage plans to Richmond Council in early 2026, following approval earlier in the year to change the use of the empty unit from general retail to a food store. The development forms part of a wider refresh of the retail park, which also includes an expansion of the existing Marks and Spencer store on the same site. The M&S enlargement will give the store additional floor space, consolidating its position as one of the anchor tenants alongside the incoming Aldi. Both projects are proceeding in parallel, with construction and fit-out expected to begin once final permissions are granted. The timing suggests both stores could open within months of each other, reshaping the retail offer at a park that has seen several vacancies in recent years.

Why this marks a shift for Richmond retail

Richmond borough has long been characterised by premium supermarkets, independent shops, and high-street retailers rather than discount chains. The borough is home to multiple Waitrose branches, several Tesco and Sainsbury’s stores, and a concentration of independent grocers and delis, particularly in areas like Richmond town centre, Kew Village, and Barnes. Aldi’s arrival represents a departure from that pattern, reflecting both changing consumer habits and the broader cost-of-living pressures that have driven shoppers across all income brackets towards discount retailers in the past few years.

The approval suggests the council recognises that retail diversity now includes budget options, not just premium ones.

The decision to approve the change of use was not controversial, passing without significant public objection, which itself tells a story about shifting expectations around what belongs in the borough. For residents who have been travelling to Aldi stores in Hounslow, Brentford, or Kingston, the Kew location will offer a closer alternative without compromising the independent high streets that define the borough’s character.

The former Sports Direct unit sits at the eastern end of Kew Retail Park, visible from Mortlake Road as you approach from the South Circular. It has been vacant for over a year, its large frontage a reminder of the challenges facing non-essential retail in out-of-town locations.

How the retail park has evolved

Kew Retail Park has weathered several changes over the past decade, with tenants coming and going as retail habits shifted online and then partly back again post-pandemic. Sports Direct’s closure left a prominent vacancy, and the park has had to compete with both online shopping and the draw of central Richmond’s high street. The addition of Aldi and the expansion of M&S signals a repositioning towards essential retail rather than leisure or discretionary spending, a sensible response to how people are actually shopping now. The park benefits from good car access and proximity to the South Circular, making it a practical stop for households doing a weekly shop rather than a destination for browsing. Other tenants at the park include Argos, Boots, and Halfords, all of which serve functional rather than aspirational needs. The shift from Sports Direct to Aldi mirrors a broader retail trend: clothing and footwear moving online, while food and essential goods remain stubbornly physical purchases.

What this means for you

If you live in Kew, Mortlake, or East Sheen, your nearest budget supermarket will soon be within a short drive or bus ride rather than requiring a trip into Hounslow or Kingston. The 65 and 391 bus routes serve the retail park directly from Richmond and Kew respectively. If you are a regular Aldi shopper, watch Richmond Council’s planning portal for confirmation of the opening date once fit-out begins; signage approval typically signals imminent construction. If you value the borough’s independent shops, this development is unlikely to affect high-street grocers and delis; Aldi’s model serves bulk weekly shopping rather than top-up or specialist purchases, so the two retail types tend to coexist rather than compete directly. If you are interested in how the borough is changing, this approval is worth noting as a signal that Richmond is willing to accommodate a broader retail mix, even in categories it has historically resisted. The arrival of Aldi at Kew Retail Park marks a quiet but meaningful shift in Richmond’s retail landscape, bringing discount grocery shopping to a borough that has long favoured premium options. With signage plans now submitted and M&S expansion proceeding alongside, the park is positioning itself as a practical destination for household essentials rather than discretionary spending, a sensible response to how residents are actually shopping in 2026.

The contrast with neighbouring boroughs is striking. Hounslow to the west has five Aldi stores, Kingston three, yet Richmond has managed without any presence from the discount chain until now.

Frequently asked questions

When will the Aldi at Kew Retail Park open?

Richmond Council has approved the change of use, and Aldi has submitted signage plans, which typically indicates construction and fit-out are close to starting. An opening date has not been publicly confirmed, but stores of this type usually take three to four months from signage approval to opening, suggesting late 2026 or early 2026 is plausible.

Where exactly is Kew Retail Park?

The retail park is just off Mortlake Road near its junction with the South Circular (A205), between Kew and Mortlake. It is accessible by car from the A205 and served by the 65 bus from Richmond and the 391 from Kew, both stopping directly at the park.

Will this Aldi replace any existing shops in Richmond?

No. The Aldi will occupy a unit that has been vacant since Sports Direct closed. It is not replacing any currently trading business, and its out-of-town location at a retail park means it is unlikely to directly affect independent grocers or high-street shops in Richmond, Kew, or surrounding villages.

Why has Richmond never had an Aldi before?

Richmond borough has historically attracted premium supermarkets like Waitrose and a strong independent retail sector, while Aldi’s discount model has been better represented in neighbouring areas like Hounslow and Kingston. This approval suggests the council now recognises that a broader range of grocery options serves residents’ changing needs and budgets.

What else is changing at Kew Retail Park?

Marks and Spencer is expanding its existing store at the park, adding floor space as part of the same refresh. Other tenants, including Argos, Boots, and Halfords, remain in place. The overall direction is towards essential and grocery retail rather than leisure or clothing.

Useful resources

• Richmond Council planning portal