Aldi plans London expansion

Aldi is on the hunt for more supermarket locations in London as part of a multi-million pound expansion plan.

The discounter has pledged to almost double its 60-strong estate within the M25 and create around 2,400 jobs. It currently has more than 990 stores across the UK and will open its 1,000th later this year.

To help identify sites, property agents are being offered a finder’s fee of either 1.5 per cent of a freehold price or 10 per cent of the first year’s rent for leasehold sites, for recommending a previously unknown site.

Aldi said it is looking for locations big enough for its standard 20,000 sq ft stores, which need around 100 dedicated parking spaces, preferably on a prominent main road and with good visibility and access. In addition, the supermarket says it is also on the lookout for sites to accommodate its smaller Aldi Local format, which are around 5,000 sq ft in size.

It is targeting empty office blocks and new housing locations as well as freehold town-centre or edge-of-centre sites suitable for property development.

Ben Shotter, regional managing director at Aldi, said: “We strongly believe that access to affordable, high-quality food is a right, not a privilege. But we’re conscious that there are still many areas, particularly in the capital and within the M25, that don’t have access to an Aldi.

“As a result, too many people have to make do with big prices at the big supermarkets. We want to give more people a new Aldi store with our award-winning products at unbeatable prices. We are looking for locations across the UK, but particularly in London.”