THE future of several Gawler businesses has become uncertain with the approval of a new Aldi store in Tod Street.

The site is home to several smaller retailers and businesses, including SDA Tax & Advisory, Lifeline, Gawler Flooring Xtra, and Yoga + Wellbeing.

The Gawler Getta Bargain variety store has been at the Tod Street site for nearly 30 years.

Most recently, the Animal Welfare League thrift shop and Ben Yi’s Asian Grocer have opened on the eastern side of the site.

Business owner Ben Yi, whose 12-month lease was due to expire at the end of October, said he was worried about how soon he might be forced to try to relocate.

With his business less than a year old, he said he might have to leave Gawler altogether in order to find a suitable space – something he hated to think about.

“In Gawler, there are not many ideal places for a business like this because I want to cook food, so that means the kitchen needs to be proper and also I sell supermarket things as well so the shopfront needs to be big enough,” he said.

“People don’t like to park somewhere else to walk to the shop, so this is quite good in that sense because I have a free carpark right here.

“On the Facebook page for the shop, I have so much engagement with people. I share my recipes, I try so hard to build up relationships with people, so it will be very sad for me to leave here and that means I have to start from zero, which I don’t want to do.

“Also, people will be sad as well because it’s so convenient for them to come here after work or during their break to buy a few things and they love the food I sell, as well.”

Aldi’s interest in the Tod Street site was made public earlier this year, when its development application was first lodged.

“I just feel like the big giant is taking over,” Mr Yi said.

“I’m not against Aldi, but for us to have two Aldis, that’s crazy..we have a lot of supermarkets, it’s going to be crowded.

“The town will lose its attraction, I think.”