Two new Lidl stores are due to open in south Essex later this year.

It comes as the budget supermarket continues to jostle with close rival Aldi over finding new sites in the region.

Last year, both Lidl and Aldi announced plans to open a combined 14 new shops across south Essex, including in Basildon, Canvey, Leigh, Rayleigh, Rochford/Hockley, Shoebury and Stanford-Le-Hope/Corringham.

And while the pandemic continues to cause problems across the country, Lidl continues to press ahead with its plans for at least two new stores, which it plans to open this year.

Here is everything we know about the two sites:

Laindon Place

Lidl hopes to open a new supermarket in Laindon by the end of the year.

It has signed a deal with Swan Housing which is involved in the Laindon Place regeneration project.

Lidl will move out of their existing premises on Manor Road in Laindon, with the site then used to provide more homes.

It is hoped the new supermarket will significantly boost customers and interest in the nearby homes.

The new supermarket will be built at the Danacre end of the Laindon Place regeneration, and will feature a bakery, toilets and baby changing facilities.

Roughly 20 per cent more car parking available will be available at the new supermarket.

Shoebury

Lidl also plans to open a new supermarket in Shoebury - creating 40 new jobs in the process.

The budget supermarket chain has exchanged contracts with developers and has already begun work on its new store at the garrison estate off Campfield Road.

The supermarket is in addition to a planned new commercial area being built by Garrison Developments LLP.

Lidl has said the new supermarket represents a multi-million pound investment in the area.

The proposed supermarket will feature facilities including an in-store bakery, customer toilets and ample parking for both cars and bicycles.

Construction work on the new store began last summer.

When will the new shops open?

Lidl says it hopes its new shop in Shoebury will open next month and it will provide more information in the near future. 

A spokesman said construction work on its Laindon store was on course to begin in the spring but no timeframe for when it will welcome its first customers was given.