A SUPERMARKET chain is looking to set up a store in Cheshire Oaks, as part of its latest expansion drive.

Aldi, which has an existing store in Wellington Drive, Ellesmere Port, has announced its intentions to open a store in the Cheshire Oaks area.

It is also seeking a suitable site in the 'North Chester' area, which would be in addition to the two existing stores on Parkgate Road and Bumpers Lane, off Hartford Way.

An Aldi store is also planned for Tarvin.

In a statement, Aldi, the UK's fifth largest supermarket, says it is looking to open 16 new stores in Cheshire in total, and has been opening about one new store a week in the UK, totalling more than 900.

The store chain confirmed it was looking for freehold town-centre or edge-of-centre sites suitable for development.

It said each site should 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.

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.”

The full list of locations it is targeting in Cheshire are:

  • Culcheth
  • Macclesfield
  • Wilmslow/Handforth
  • Birchwood
  • Cheshire Oaks
  • Crewe
  • Grappenhall
  • Lymm
  • North Chester
  • Runcorn
  • Stockton Heath
  • Tarvin
  • Warrington
  • Widnes
  • Alsager, Stoke on Trent
  • Birchwood