ONE of the UK’s largest supermarkets has emphasised its intention to open a new store in Ellesmere, as it invests £1.4bn over the next two years.

Aldi put forward proposals to develop a new food store on the Kingsway, Canalside Development, opposite Ellesmere Business Park earlier this year.

In a stament issued on Wednesday (September 27) Aldi confirmed that the areas in Shropshire where it is currently looking for sites include Ellesmere and Church Stretton.

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Richard Thornton, Communications Director at Aldi UK, said: “We want to make our great value groceries accessible to all, and to do that we need more stores, particularly in towns and areas that don’t have an Aldi already. "

The site has been classified, in Shropshire Council’s Draft Local Plan, as providing an opportunity for economic growth in Ellesmere.

Mr Thonton added: “The areas we’ve identified in our latest list are places where there is demand for stores and we are committed to continue investing until we can bring our quality products and unbeatable prices to as many people as possible.”

Aldi opened its 1,000th store earlier this month, and has committed to a long-term target of 1,500 stores in the UK – meaning it is on the hunt for more locations across the UK.

In its annual trading update, Aldi said it had attracted around a million extra customers in the past 12 months with a new generation of savvy shoppers turning their back on traditional, full priced supermarkets.

Aldi is searching for freehold town-centre, edge-of-centre, and retail park sites suitable for property development.

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The sites should be able to accommodate a 20,000 square foot store with around 100 parking spaces.

Ideally the location will be near a main road with good visibility and access.

The supermarket will also be investing in the development of new and expanded distribution centres, including its new distribution centre in Leicestershire.

Anybody who has a site that may fit Aldi’s requirements should contact info.nationalproperty@aldi.co.uk.