Dingwall becomes a target for a second discount store as Aldi seeks a site.

HOT on the heels of Home Bargains seeking planning permission to build in Dingwall, the German discount chain Aldi has announced it is on the lookout for a site in the Ross-shire capital.

Dingwall is one of 20 new store locations earmarked for Scotland as part of a major expansion by the German chain.

Aldi, the UK’s fifth largest supermarket has been on an expansion drive in recent years, opening around one new store a week on average to meet demand from new customers. Rival Lidl have been in the market town for several years.

Aldi, which now has 96 stores in Scotland and more than 900 across the UK, is looking for freehold town centre or edge-of-centre sites suitable for development.

It says 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.”

Local Highland Council member Margaret Paterson said: "Dingwall is becoming a magnet for big stores it seems. Aldi is the second big business that has said rdcently it wants to come to Dingwall, and I can understand that because it is very popular as a shopping centre.

"We also have a very unique and privately run shops, and shoppers are looking for different things, a bit of diversity. Aldi know this and know they will get trade in Dingwall. Our free parking is a bit attraction."

Cllr Paterson is on the council planning committee and therefore cannot comment on Home Bargains application.

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