Aldi bosses have revealed which Kent towns they are eyeing up as potential sites for new stores.
The budget supermarket chain has selected Chatham, New Romney and Tunbridge Wells as “priority areas” of the county where they hope to build new branches.
Aldi already has stores in Chatham and Tunbridge Wells – but the company says it is looking to open shops at least 20,000 sq ft in size with 100 parking spaces.
Bosses say they have received more than 4,000 submissions after calling for the public to get in touch with suggestions as they look to continue a “rapid expansion” across the country.
Jonathan Neale, managing director of national real estate at Aldi UK, said: “We want to make high-quality food accessible to all, but we can’t do that while there are still some towns and areas that either don’t have an Aldi or have capacity for additional stores.
“We recognise there is huge demand in certain regions for more stores, which is why we decided to get the public’s input on our latest list of priority locations.
“They have helped us identify where demand is greatest and we will continue to work to bring Aldi to as many people as possible.”
It comes amid speculation that Aldi may also be set to open a new shop at Park Farm Industrial Estate in Folkestone.
The estate is already home to a McDonald’s, Sainsbury’s, Homebase and Home Bargains, but the former Silver Spring Mineral Water Company site also on the lot has been empty for more than a decade.
Folkestone and Hythe District Council’s planning committee voted last week to approve plans for a supermarket and two drive-thru restaurants on the site of the former drinks factory, but it is not yet known which grocery brand will be moving in.
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KentOnline has asked Aldi if it is looking to move to the Folkestone site.
The supermarket already has branches in Maidstone, Aylesford, Gillingham, Whitstable, Rochester, Ashford, Herne Bay, Sevenoaks, Canterbury, Hythe, Dartford, Gravesend, Tonbridge, Faversham, Dover and Ramsgate.