SUPERMARKET chain Aldi is looking to expand by building a store around Bridge of Allan or Dunblane.

The retailer has this week announced it is aiming to add nearly 20 stores in Scotland, including one in the wider area of Bridge of Allan and Dunblane.

Ciaran Aldridge, national property director at Aldi UK, said: “Aldi is growing rapidly and we are welcoming around a million new customers into our stores every year.

“But there are also hundreds of towns across the UK where there is not an Aldi, meaning there are hundreds of thousands of people who can’t easily access the high quality, affordable food our customers love.

“We are willing to explore all opportunities, including developer-led schemes or existing retail units.”

Aldi is looking for sites suitable for development, around 1.5acres in size to accommodate a 20,000sqft store with about 100 parking spaces – ideally on a prominent main road with good visibility and access.