DISCOUNT supermarket chain Lidl is continuing its expansion efforts across the country – and this includes the company eyeing a number of new stores in Dorset.

At the time of being published, the latest site requirements brochure lists more than 1,000 locations across Great Britain where the retailer wants to build a new shop or relocate an existing store.

Lidl has a target of having 1,000 stores across England, Wales and Scotland by the end of 2023.

A year ago the firm was well on the way to achieving this as it crossed the 800-store mark.

In Dorset, the German chain already has many stores and it wants to expand on this.

The locations where Lidl wants to add to its operation with are the Kinson or Moordown area of Bournemouth, Poole town centre or Parkstone, Wimborne, Shaftesbury, and Swanage.

The company also wants to pursue relocations of its Bournemouth town centre and Boscombe stores.

As reported, Dorset Council's eastern planning committee approved an application for Lidl's first store in Verwood.

Work is under way on opening a second Lidl in Christchurch at the retail park off Bailey Drive. The chain is due to move into part of the Homebase unit after a reconfiguration of building's layout.

The details below outline Lidl's existing sites in Bournemouth and Poole.

Bournemouth

There are currently five Lidl stores already open and trading across Bournemouth.

The town centre store in the Richmond Gardens shopping centre and the Boscombe shop in the Sovereign Centre are both on Lidl's list for relocation.

Last year, the chain opened a store in Holdenhurst Road, near Bournemouth Railway Station, just weeks before the first national lockdown across England.

The two other stores are located in Wimborne Road, Winton, and Ringwood Road, West Howe.

Lidl is hoping to add a sixth store in the Kinson or Moordown area of Bournemouth.

Poole

Across the borough, Lidl has three shops at present although no presence in the town centre.

One of these is located in Poole Road, Branksome. The chain has objected to rival Aldi's proposals for a store nearby on the Parrs factory site in Alder Road.

Lidl's other current locations in Poole are Hatch Pond Road near the Nuffield Industrial Estate and Blandford Road in Hamworthy.

The current priority for Lidl in Poole is to add a town centre or Parkstone shop.

New horizons

The other Dorset towns included in chain's store plans do not currently have a Lidl.

Below is a breakdown of some of the existing food shops in Wimborne, Swanage and Shaftesbury.

Wimborne

The largest store in the East Dorset town is Waitrose in Rowlands Hill.

There is also Co-op, Minster Greens, and McColl's nearby, with Leigh Road being home to a Spar store and M&S Food at the petrol garage.

Another Co-op is located to the north of the town in Wimborne Road.

Swanage

The centre of the Purbeck town already has a number of food retailers in close proximity.

Residents have the Co-op in King's Road West, Budgens in Station Road, and McColl's and Purbeck Deli in Institute Road.

Swanage also has a Spar in High Street heading away from the town centre, with Londis and Costcutter further to the west. Ballard Down Stores is also in operation on the road towards Studland.

Shaftesbury

Lidl has reportedly had an interested in opening a store in the North Dorset town for "years".

The town centre currently has a Tesco superstore, a Co-op, established independent Abbotts Greengrocers, Central Convenience store and two Spar shops.

Lidl has earmarked the former Cattle Market site in Christy's Lane and Dorset Council planning officers approved a planning application earlier this month under delegated powers.