Costco plans new main Kent warehouse and 250 jobs as US chain turns into well-liked
Costco is consulting on plans for Kent’s first warehouse club in Aylesford near the M20, with the US wholesaler expected to create 250 local jobs by 2028
Costco wants to open another massive UK store(Image: Getty)
A region of England has been identified for a new Costco wholesale outlet as the American chain gains popularity among British consumers.
Costco is a US members-only warehouse retailer that numerous Britons have embraced, with branches already established in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Manchester, Sheffield, Milton Keynes, Birmingham and beyond. A potential site for another outlet has been disclosed, with a public consultation now underway.
Residents in Aylesford, Kent, have been invited to voice their opinions on the wholesale store being constructed on land adjacent to the M20 in 2028. The proposals would see a new warehouse and petrol station built off Coldharbour Lane.
The development is anticipated to cover an impressive 13,000 square metres and generate 250 local employment opportunities. This follows 2023 reports that the retailer was contemplating expansion into either Maidstone or Medway.
A company spokesperson said: “Before applying to Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council for planning permission, we’d like to present our proposal to the local community and provide an opportunity for residents and businesses to provide feedback.
“We’ve invited the neighbours of our proposed site to the public exhibition, and we hope that people from across the area will visit our consultation website.”
A public exhibition is scheduled for Tuesday, April 28, running from 2pm to 7pm at Capel Morris, RBVE Village in Hall Road, where locals can express their views. Furthermore, digital consultation will commence on May 31.
The company stated: “We will shortly be consulting on our plans to build Kent’s first Costco Wholesale warehouse club on a vacant plot of land just south of Junction 5 of the M20.”, reports the Express.
“We are keen to hear your views as part of our community engagement.”
Meanwhile, Matt Boughton, leader of Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council (TMBC), said: “Costco are hosting an exhibition to hear your thoughts on a new warehouse in Aylesford.
“The site they have identified is west of the Coldharbour roundabout at Junction 5 of the M20, where the site compound was for the recent road widening.”
Its nearest existing store is situated in Lakeside, Essex.
