A GERMAN supermarket giant has unveiled its ambition to build two new stores in south Essex towns.

Aldi has announced it will invest an unprecedented £800million - its largest ever package of annual investment - to accelerate its expansion across Britain’s towns and cities.

In its annual trading update, Aldi said it plans to open 23 new locations before the end of the year and 14 by the end of 2025 – including in Billericay at the current Queens Park Avenue Co-op store site.

The retailer, which currently has over 1,000 stores, has previously announced plans to scale to 1,500 stores across the UK and Aldi – meaning it is on the hunt for more locations across the UK. 

Priority locations where Aldi wants to build new supermarkets include Brentwood and Rayleigh, in south Essex.

The supermarket is searching for freehold town-centre, edge-of-centre, and retail park sites suitable for property development. 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. Anybody who has a site that may fit Aldi’s requirements should contact realestateacquisitions@aldi.co.uk.

Richard Thornton, communications director at Aldi UK, said: “We are committed to bringing high quality, affordable groceries to millions more British families.

“With more than 1,000 stores across the country, our footprint is definitely growing, but we know there are still a number of towns that either don’t have an Aldi or have shown demand for more stores.”