Lidl wants to open 'hundreds' of new UK stores - full list of 72 sites in Greater Manchester

Lidl has today unveiled plans to open "hundreds of new stores across the country, creating thousands of new jobs" including new sites in Great Manchester, from Altrincham to Ancoats, and Didsbury to Deansgate. The supermarket chain stated that this follows a year of significant investment in its infrastructure, which included the opening of its largest global warehouse in London.

Additionally, it completed an extension to its Welsh distribution centre in Bridgend and made substantial progress on expanding its Belvedere warehouse. Once finished, the project will result in the warehouse's size and capacity being doubled.

The company also introduced improvements to its stores, such as the implementation of electronic shelf labels. All these efforts, it said, have contributed to its record growth, with its market share now at 8%.

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The supermarket further stated that the opening of new stores would allow Lidl to reach thousands more households across the country and increase its already high market share. In the coming months, Lidl will be welcoming customers to new stores in various locations across the country, from Bristol to Birmingham, to Berwick in Scotland.

In London alone, new stores will be opened in Wandsworth, Fulham, Hoxton and Canning Town.

This announcement coincides with the publication of Lidl's latest list of desired locations for potential new stores. The supermarket is targeting major growth in cities including Edinburgh, Leeds, Liverpool and London, as well as towns ranging from Woking and Wadebridge to Dumfries and Didcot.

Should a suitable site be identified, the discount supermarket will offer a finder's fee of either 1.5% of the total freehold purchase price or 10% of the first year's rent for leaseholds. This could equate to £22,500 for a completed £1.5m site purchase.

The supermarket is specifically seeking sites in prominent locations with easy access and high pedestrian or traffic flow. They require 1.5+ acres for a standalone store and up to four acres for mixed-use schemes.

The sites should accommodate unit sizes between 18,000 and 26,500 sq ft and provide more than 100 dedicated car parking spaces. Lidl's flexible approach means it will consider freehold, leasehold or long leasehold opportunities.

Here is a full list of Lidl's desired sites expected to open in Greater Manchester, East Lancs, Calderdale & High Peak (Greater Manchester stores in bold):

• Ashton-under-Lyne-North

• Barnoldswick

• Bolton - Astley Bridge (relocation)

• Bolton - Breightmet

• Bolton - Central (relocation)

• Bolton - Farnworth (relocation)

• Bolton - Halliwell (relocation)

• Bolton - Horwich

• Bolton - Westhoughton (relocation)

• Burnley - West

• Bury - East

• Bury - Ramsbottom

• Buxton

• Clitheroe (relocation)

• Darwen (relocation)

• Elland

• Great Harwood

• Halifax (relocation)

• Halifax - Hipperholme

• Halifax - Illingworth

• Halifax - South

• Halifax - West

• Hebden Bridge

• Heywood

• Manchester - Altrincham

• Manchester - Ancoats

• Manchester - Ardwick

• Manchester - Blackley

• Manchester - Burnage

• Manchester - Carrington

• Manchester - Collyhurst

• Manchester - Crumpsall

• Manchester - Deansgate

• Manchester - Denton (relocation)

• Manchester - Didsbury

• Manchester - Droylsden

• Manchester - Eastlands

• Manchester - Gorton

• Manchester - Harpurhey (relocation)

• Manchester - Hulme

• Manchester - Hyde

• Manchester - Irlam (relocation)

• Manchester - Middleton

• Manchester - Miles Platting

• Manchester - Newton

• Heath (relocation)

• Manchester - Old Trafford

• Manchester - Openshaw (relocation)

• Manchester - Ordsall

• Manchester - Pendlebury

• Manchester - Prestwich (relocation)

• Manchester - Sale

• Manchester - Sale Moor

• Manchester - Salford (relocation)

• Manchester - Salford Quays

• Manchester - Swinton

• Manchester - Timperley

• Manchester - Urmston/Flixton

• Manchester - Victoria

• Manchester - Walkden

• Manchester - WhalleyRange

• Manchester - Whitefield

• Manchester - Wythenshawe

• Nelson (relocation)

• New Mills

• Oldham - East

• Oldham - Hollinwood

• Oldham - Mossley

• Oldham - Shaw

• Rawtenstall (relocation)

• Rochdale - South

• Stalybridge

• Stockport - Bramhall

• Stockport - Bredbury

• Stockport - Centre

• Stockport - Edgeley

• Stockport - Gatley

• Stockport - Hazel Grove

• Stockport - Heald Green

• Stockport - Heaton Chapel

• Stockport - Marple

• Stockport - Reddish

• Stockport - Romiley

• Wigan - Atherton

• Wigan - Central (relocation)

• Wigan - Goose Green

• Wigan - Hindley

• Wigan - Leigh (relocation)

• Wigan - Orrell

• Wigan - Standish (relocation)

Richard Taylor, Lidl GB's Chief Development Officer, expressed pride in the company's recent achievements: "Having fortified our infrastructure with significant investments like Luton, which is the largest warehouse in the Lidl world, we're proud to have achieved record market share this month. We have also been the fastest-growing brick-and-mortar supermarket for the past seven months in a row."

He highlighted the company's commitment to growth and customer service: "With an exceptional store network and our laser focus on operational excellence, we're welcoming more customers through our doors than ever before, which positions us perfectly for continued expansion. As we celebrate our 30th year, our commitment to ensuring that all households across the country have access to high-quality produce at affordable prices is stronger than ever."

Taylor outlined ambitious plans for the future: "We're planning to open hundreds of new Lidl stores but ultimately see no ceiling on our ambition or growth potential. This is why we're continuing to invest in new locations whilst exploring innovative routes to expansion. As we look ahead, we're excited to welcome even more new shoppers to our existing stores, as well as those we're planning to open across the country in the coming months and years."