Aldi is targeting Hitchin in a bid to open another store in North Herts - part of its ongoing nationwide expansion plans.

The cut-price retailer already has a supermarket in nearby Letchworth as well as Stevenage, but is now eyeing Hitchin as the site of a new addition to its portfolio.

The supermarket, which has more than 900 stores across the UK, is looking for a freehold town centre site - with Hitchin on its shortlist of 'required locations' across Hertfordshire.

As part of a £500million investment to bring more Aldi stores in and around the M25, the retailer is looking to open another 100 stores within the south east - creating around 3,500 new jobs in the region, possibly including Hitchin.

Jonathan Neale, Managing Director of National Real Estate at Aldi UK, said: "After attracting more new customers than any other supermarket in the last 12 months we're more determined than ever to expand our presence across the country.

"We want to make high-quality food accessible to all, and shoppers know they'll always get more for their money when shopping at Aldi."

The company requires the site to be around 1.5 acres and able to accommodate a 20,000 sq ft store with around 100 parking spaces, ideally on a prominent main road and with good visibility and access in our town.

The supermarket is set to open 35 new stores across the UK this year.

Aldi has previously announced its long-term target of 1,500 stores in the UK, and it is set to invest £550million on expanding the number of UK stores across 2024 and beyond.

Ciaran Aldridge, national property director at Aldi UK, said: "We have been investing in Britain for more than 30 years now, but we know that there are still areas that either do not have an Aldi at all, or that need another store to meet customer demand.

"Shoppers are increasingly looking to get unbeatable prices on their weekly shop without compromising on quality.

"That's why, more so than ever, we're keen to explore all opportunities to open new stores across the country."

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