A SUPERMARKET giant is hoping to add its third store in the city as part of £6 million refurbishment plans for an under-used retail park.

German retailer ALDI is looking to open a new store on the Pavilion Retail Park in Lewes Road, Brighton.

The move is part of a £6 million expansion by retail park owners Aviva Investors which will include the construction of a new café.

Councillors have welcomed the news to breathe new life into the struggling retail park where half of the units are currently vacant.

The overhaul will begin with the refurbishment of the B&Q store set to start shortly and expected to be completed early next year.

A planning application for the unit expansion for Aldi and a coffee shop is set to be submitted within months with the possibility new tenants could be trading at some point next year.

The investment is designed to revive the retail park which has been hit in recent years by the closure of Comet and Benson for Beds.

ALDI said its new store would have a “modest” 1,100 square metres of sales area, less than half the size of the nearby Sainsbury’s, but would create up to 50 new jobs with the company looking to recruit locally.

The new store will be in addition to ALDI’s existing supermarkets in London Road and Carlton Terrace.

Councillor Tracey Hill, who represents the Hollingdean and Stanmer ward, said: “I’m pleased that Aldi are asking local residents for their views and would be interested in knowing what comes back from that.

“The retail park has been under-used for a while.

“All the comments I have heard so far have been positive, people are saying it would improve the area and help local people with low cost food.

“It shouldn’t be a threat to Sainsbury’s as it’s only half the size.”

An ALDI spokeswoman said: “We are delighted to be progressing plans for a new ALDI in Brighton, to make it easier for local people to shop and save.

“We are encouraging local people to let us know there thoughts on the plans over coming weeks and after reviewing their comments we will finalise the application and submit an application to the council.

“If the plans are approved, we are keen to open the store as soon as possible so local people can start working and shopping at ALDI.”

Feedback on the plans can be submitted before Friday September 23 by emailing aldibrighton@planningpotential.co.uk.