A block of flats in being pulled down as part of a project to build a new north-east supermarket.
Peterhead’s Kirk Street has been closed to traffic to allow the old flats at the former Kirkburn Mill to be safely demolished.
Aldi will be opening a new store on the site, which will include two separate retail units and cap park space for 150 shoppers.
It is hoped the move will create up to 30 new jobs and boost the local economy by at lesat £2.5million.
An Aldi spokesman said the project was now moving ahead.
He added: “Demolition work for our new store in Peterhead has begun, with construction to follow.
“We hope to open the store in winter this year.”
Aldi’s site would include two separate retail units and a car park for 150 shoppers.
Kirk Street has been closed to traffic for safety reasons while the demolition process takes place.
An Aberdeenshire Council spokesman confirmed the route will be shut until February 21.
He said: “The road will be closed for 28 days in the interest of public safety while demolition works take place to clear the site for a new supermarket.”
The budget supermarket chain first proposed building a store in the north-east’s largest town a decade ago, but they did not secure planning permission until 2016.
That agreement was subject to conditions including an archaeological investigation of the Kirkburn Mill site and a formal demolition plan for a block of flats on the land.
But both of those issues have since been resolved.
The company’s managing director wrote to local MSP Stewart Stevenson twice about a delay to the project and insisted it would go ahead.
Mr Stevenson responded to the chain’s boss, Richard Holloway.
He said: “The creation of this supermarket has been long overdue and I’m delighted work will finally start in the coming month or so.
“The north-east has been badly hit by the oil and gas downturn and this will be a much needed boost for the local economy and the jobs market as well.
“I wish Aldi every success during the construction phase and look forward to seeing how it all comes together in the future.”