DISCOUNT supermarket giant Aldi is ‘actively looking’ at opening a new store in Wellington, after announcing plans last week to expand in Taunton Deane.

A spokesman for the food retailer said it wants to build ‘a number of stores’ in the district ‘over the coming years’.

If it succeeded in setting up in Wellington and Taunton, the firm would invest about £10 million and about 80 full- and part-time jobs would be created.

The spokesman added: “We are in the process of a UK-wide expansion, aiming to bring 1,000 stores and 35,000 jobs by 2022. We are conscious that Taunton Deane does not have an Aldi within its boundaries and we are excited about the prospect of investing in the authority over the coming years.

“We are currently searching for sites that would be suitable to accommodate an Aldi store. We feel that Taunton Deane has a lot to offer and a great deal of potential through the current and planned future regeneration being driven by the council.”

Aldi bosses have met representatives of Taunton Deane Borough Council (TDBC) to talk about potential sites.

The company does not use zero hour contracts and will pay all employees a salary of at least £8.40 from February.

Cllr John Williams, leader of TDBC, said: “We were very pleased to meet the Aldi representatives recently and hear of their exciting plans for Taunton Deane, which involve opening a number of new stores locally.

“This is an opportunity to fill a distinct gap in the market as I am often asked by residents: ‘When will we be getting an Aldi shop?’ a

“We were delighted to hear about the planned investment due and welcome this to Taunton Deane.”