Farmers in Clare unite in attempt to scupper Aldi’s store plans

A group of farmers in the north Clare market and heritage town of Ennistymon is frustrating attempts by German supermarket giant Aldi to build an outlet there.

The farmers are angry that Clare Marts Ltd has sold the old mart site in Ennistymon to the German retailer and the Save Ennistymon Mart Committee (SEMC) has lodged a strident objection against the plan with Clare County Council.

Last year, Clare Marts sold the site to Aldi for a price believed to be in the region of €1.5m, in the face of opposition from farmers who at one stage held a silent protest outside a Clare Marts board meeting.