A NEW discount supermarket is coming to Oldbury after plans were given the thumbs up.

Aldi will open a store on Oldbury Green Retail Park on Oldbury Ringway, creating around 30 jobs.

A planning application to convert the former Argos unit and the unit next door, which is currently a Shoezone, has been given the go-ahead by Sandwell Council.

A rear extension will also be built.

The application states: "Aldi are not currently represented in the town centre, and the introduction of a discount retailer will enhance the choice of food shopping within the town centre, which is largely dominated by the existing Sainsbury’s store."

It states the Argos store has been empty since Autumn 2020 and that Shoezone has "confirmed that the unit is too large for their operation and they are set to occupy a downsized retail unit created through the subdivision of Unit 8."

There is a Homebase, Poundland, Next, Shoezone, Pets at Home, Carpetright, Bargain Buys, The Food Warehouse, Smyths Toys, Costa, Geggs, Card Factory and Burger King currently on the retail park.

Meanwhile leading frozen food chain, Farmfoods, has signed a 10-year lease on a new unit at the Birchley Island Retail Park in Oldbury, off Wolverhampton Road.

Farmfoods is currently fitting out the new unit next to B&M, which it expects to open by the end of May.