Developers building Ashford’s new Aldi store say the discount German supermarket will open next year.

The shop, which will sit next to the new £1.7m Chapel Down brewery in Victoria Road, will create 40 new jobs.

Work on the supermarket began after permission was gained last year, but construction was postponed so contractors could install a new electricity substation at the site.

They are now due to start building work in early 2018 and the 18,500 sq ft store will open to shoppers later in the year.

Ashford Borough Council leader Cllr Gerry Clarkson says the shop will be an important addition to the town centre.

He said: “We welcome more high quality investment coming forward from the private sector, and especially from two strong household brand names in Aldi and Chapel Down, who clearly see the attractiveness of investing in Ashford.

“These sites will play a huge part in bringing added vitality and life into the heart of the town centre for our residents.

“Along with the college, commercial quarter offices, cinema and designer outlet expansion, these developments are part of the changing face of the town centre.”

The Aldi store, which will feature 93 parking spaces and will be built opposite Watling Tyres, is set to open from 6am to 11pm Monday to Saturday.

It will also open on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays, and will have room for five disabled spaces.

Developers at Henry Davidson Developments (HDD) gained planning permission for the scheme last October, which also features a 120-bed hotel and more than 200 apartments on the corner of Beaver Road and Victoria Road, opposite Aldi and the brewery.

Aldi spokesman Hannah Twist, who could not give a precise opening date, says the firm will keep residents updated on progress.

She said: “We are hoping to recommence construction of our new store at Ashford early in 2018 and hope to open the store later in the year.

"Once open, the store will create up to 40 new jobs and allow residents to shop and save closer to home.”

Our sister paper, the Kentish Express, contacted Chapel Down for comment, but did not receive a response.

Work on the Tenterden-based wine maker’s brewery is expected to start later this autumn.