Aldi aims to expand its South Tyneside store count as it looks for new sites in the borough
Aldi is on the hunt for locations to open new stores in South Tyneside.
The battle for business between Britain’s best known discount retailers is set to heat up in South Tyneside after Aldi announced plans to expand.
Bosses confirmed they are looking for new locations to set up shop in the borough as they bid to pull in extra customers.
They did not say exactly where they had set their sights but revealed they were actively putting out the feelers in parts of South Shields and Jarrow.
Aldi is currently on level terms with great rival Lidl in the number of shops it operates in South Tyneside.
It has two stores - an outlet in Chichester Road, South Shields, and another in Glen Street, Hebburn.
That matches those run by Lidl, which has two branches in South Shields – at Laygate and Tyne Dock.
Expansion would create jobs
Aldi said any expansion in its operations would create jobs – and it claimed to be the UK’s best-paying supermarket.
Jonathan Neale, Managing Director of National Real Estate at Aldi UK, said the move for new space was part of its wider UK expansion plans.
He revealed the supermarket was investing over £370m in new stores this year as it works towards its long-term target of 1,500 locations nationwide.
Mr Neale added: “We know how important it is for people to have access to affordable, high-quality food close to where they live.
“That is why we’re focused on identifying the communities that would benefit most from a new Aldi store.
“Opening new stores in these areas means we can bring great value to more customers, while also creating jobs and offering industry-leading pay.”
Calls for landowners to come forward
Aldi is seeking freehold, leasehold or long leasehold sites in prominent locations with good visibility and access.
It is encouraging landowners and agents to come forward with suitable opportunities.
As well as sites in South Tyneside, it is also seeking space at the Team Valley in Gateshead, and various parts of Newcastle.
Mr Neale said store assistants in South Tyneside typically earn at least £13.50 per hour.
The company asked any business or individual landowner with a potential site to contact it via: [email protected].