Discount supermarket chain Aldi has confirmed that Guildford is among six Surrey towns it is considering for a new store as part of an ongoing nationwide expansion drive. The shortlist also includes Godalming, Cobham, Weybridge, Hersham and Woking.
What Aldi is looking for
The retailer is seeking freehold, leasehold or long leasehold sites in prominent positions with good visibility and access. Aldi has invited landowners and agents in Surrey to come forward with potential opportunities by contacting its acquisitions team by email.
- Priority towns: Godalming, Cobham, Weybridge, Hersham, Guildford, Woking
- Site types sought: freehold, leasehold or long leasehold
- Contact: realestateacquisitions@aldi.co.uk
Retail and local impacts
Aldi says opening new outlets will provide greater access to affordable groceries and create jobs. In a statement, Jonathan Neale, Managing Director of National Real Estate at Aldi UK, said:
“We know how important it is for people to have access to affordable, high-quality food close to where they live, which is why we’re focused on identifying the communities that would benefit most from a new Aldi store. Opening new stores in these areas means we can bring great value to more customers, while also creating jobs and offering industry-leading pay.”
There is already an Aldi on the outskirts of Guildford and another in Woking, as well as stores elsewhere in the county such as Farnborough and Caterham. A new site in Guildford would therefore extend the retailer’s footprint within the borough and could alter local shopping patterns, delivery routes and traffic flows depending on location and scale.
Context in Aldi’s wider expansion
The move sits within a national expansion plan: Aldi has invested heavily in new stores across the UK this year. The company says it is investing over £370 million in new sites in the current period while working towards a long-term target of 1,500 stores nationwide.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Surrey priority towns | Godalming, Cobham, Weybridge, Hersham, Guildford, Woking |
| Investment this year | Over £370 million (Aldi UK) |
| Long-term store target | 1,500 stores nationwide |
For Guildford Borough Council and local planning authorities, the announcement may prompt interest from landowners and developers keen to market suitable sites. Any prospective scheme would require planning consent and be assessed against local planning policies on retail provision, highways, parking and town-centre vitality.
Local residents and businesses should expect a period of consultation if a formal application is submitted. In the meantime, Aldi’s invitation for site proposals offers an early opportunity for landowners and agents to engage directly with the retailer.
