Grocer opening a store every week

LOW-cost grocer Lidl is ramping up its expansion plan by opening between 50 and 60 supermarkets a year for the next two years as part of a £1.5bn investment in the UK.

The move comes as new UK boss Christian Hartnagel seeks to ensure the supermarket remains the fastest- growing grocer in Britain.

He said: ‘That is the fastest we have ever grown in the UK and I expect this to continue for the foreseeable future.’

Lidl, which already has 670 shops in the UK, opened 35 supermarkets last year and has previously stated its long-term ambition to have 1,500 shops in the country.

It grew 18.8pc in the 12 weeks to June 18 and now accounts for 5pc of the British grocery market, while rival Aldi grew 18.7pc in the period. Together the two discounters account for 11.9pc of the market.

Lidl is also currently in the process of building a £70m distribution centre in Doncaster – a move it says will create 500 jobs.