An Aldi supermarket is being pitched to potential new tenants ahead of the budget chain opening a larger food store elsewhere in the same city.

The German retailer’s base in Rheims Way, Canterbury - where it has had a presence since 2012 - is being marketed for rent by Craddick Retail.

A brochure for the agents says the “premises will be available following the opening of Aldi’s new store on Sturry Road”.

But bizarrely, Aldi says it currently has no plans to close the ring-road supermarket, which was previously home to Habitat.

Property director Rob Lithgow told KentOnline: “We are reviewing our options, but at present have no intention of vacating our Rheims Way store.

“There is sufficient demand within Canterbury for two stores, and that remains our long-term plan.”

While Aldi would not elaborate on its statement, KentOnline understands its two-store plan does not necessarily involve the Rheims Way site, which is deemed too small by the budget chain.

It is set to open a new 15,300 sq ft supermarket later this year within what is currently the B&Q superstore in Sturry Road, which will be repurposed into three units.

The DIY giant will retain one, Aldi will take the second, and a coffee chain - yet to be secured - will open in the third.

Craddick Retail says the launch is expected in the fourth quarter of this year, putting Aldi in direct competition with a neighbouring Lidl store and the Asda opposite.

But what will become of the chain’s current site in Rheims Way remains unclear.

The annual turnover of the supermarket is about £24 million - making it the city’s fourth biggest behind Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Asda.

It measures 13,250 sq ft and offers 73 parking spaces - fewer than a quarter of the number in Sturry Road.

Aldi does not own the building but has the lease, which expires in 2032.

Craddick Retail says the lease can be assigned to a new operator, at an annual rent of £268,000, or a sub-lease arrangement will be considered.

When contacted by KentOnline, the agent said it was not privy to the internal operations of Aldi and its future plans.

Craddick Retail is also advertising the Sturry Road coffee shop unit for an annual rent of £55,000.

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