A new supermarket is set to open in Ashford.

Aldi is believed to be lining up a move to the town as part of its vast expansion plans for the UK.

Although it has not been confirmed, it is understood the store could open along Victoria Road, which is littered with empty land.

It is understood a deal is currently being discussed between the German-owned supermarket chain’s bosses and developers Henry Davidson Developments, who were behind the proposal to build a Morrisons along that stretch of road.

A spokesman for Aldi said that as the site is developer-led they are “not yet at an appropriate stage in the deal to comment.”

However, Ashford is named as one of the supermaket giant’s “current requirement towns” listed on its website.

The list identifies areas where Aldi is “actively looking for sites”.

Cllr Graham Galpin, Ashford Borough Council’s Cabinet member for town centre focus, said he would welcome a new food outlet in Ashford.

He said: “As far as I’m aware Aldi are always looking for new sites.

“A lot of places want to open in Ashford – there is certainly a lot to attract them.”

He said a new supermarket would be “a good asset for the town”, adding: “We welcome competition on all levels.

“A few people have said to me they’d like to see one open.

“It would fill another site gap.”

When asked about potential sites, Cllr Galpin, member for Stour ward, said somewhere along Victoria Road would certainly be “a good suggestion”.

Last year, the discount store –which specialises in staple items, such as food, beverages, toilet paper and other inexpensive household items – announced its significant plans to expand in the UK.

In 2015, it submitted more than 90 planning applications to open new stores across the country – adding to its existing 500 outlets.

Ones that have already opened include shops in Milton Keynes, Blackpool and Swindon.

Kent stores can be found in Maidstone, Canterbury, Strood and Margate.

The chain’s website currently lists hundreds of “requirement towns”, where it is looking for potential sites. Ashford is on that list.

Aldi’s criteria to come to a town includes a “catchment population in excess of 10,000” and “suitable sites for development” that are in the “town centre or edge of town centre sites”.

This is not the first time Ashford has welcomed news of a supermarket opening in the town.

In November 2013, bosses at Morrisons revealed they were planning to open a new store along Victoria Road, opposite furniture store Homeplus.

The scheme, led by developers Henry Davidson Developments, also included plans for new flats above the supermarket, plus a petrol filling station.

However, despite holding a public consultation and receiving positive feedback, six months later the chain scrapped its plans.

Morrisons said the decision to pull the plans was based on a “national strategic review of its stores”.