SUPERMARKET chain Aldi plans to open 100 new stores in the UK over the next two years - and it is currently searching for suitable sites in Somerset. 

Aldi has pledged to invest £1.3 billion by 2023 in growing its retail estate as it pushes ahead with plans to average one new store opening per week.

The Somerset locations it is targeting include Chard, Cheddar, Taunton, Wellington and Wells. 

It is searching for freehold town centre or edge-of-centre sites suitable for property development. 

Aldi, which has more than 920 stores in the UK, is on the lookout for sites that are large enough to accommodate a 20,000 sq ft store and around 100 dedicated parking spaces.

It says its preference is that they are on a prominent main road and with good visibility and access.  

The supermarket will also be investing in the development of new and expanded distribution centres. 

Richard Thornton, Communications Director at Aldi UK, said: "We’re continuing to gain even more customers - with over 60% of UK households shopping with Aldi in the last year. 

"Our focus is on expanding our store estate, making sure Aldi is accessible to as many of these new shoppers across the country as possible.

"Looking ahead, we are excited to provide millions of new customers with access to Aldi’s award-winning quality and unbeatable value as we create even more places and more ways to shop with us." 

The locations Aldi is targeting in Somerset are:

  • Chard
  • Cheddar
  • Keynsham
  • Nailsea
  • Taunton
  • Wellington
  • Wells
  • Weston-super-Mare
  • Bath
  • Frome
  • Midsomer Norton
  • Wincanton
  • Yeovil