* Lidl publishes list of preferred site locations in Great Britain - including Ashby de la Zouch - for potential new stores to be built

• Discounter calls on landowners with suitable locations that meet its requirements

• Store expansion continues at pace with over 20 new stores having opened in Great Britain since the start of 2021, as part of plans to have 1,000 stores by 2023

Lidl GB has published its annual list of key areas across Great Britain where it is interested in acquiring sites for potential store development - and Ashby is included.

This forms part of the discounter's ambitious plans to have 1,000 stores in its portfolio by the end of 2023.

Lidl already has stores in Coalville and Swadlincote, but now it wants to add Ashby to the list as well as other Leicestershire sites including Shepshed and Loughborough.

Ashby comes under the company's 'East England' region.

The supermarket says there is a particular focus this year including town centre, edge of centre, retail park and metropolitan locations.

The list of 'desirable' locations for new stores is aimed at landowners and freeholders with suitable sites who are interested in exploring opportunities with Lidl.

Lidl says it is seeking prominent sites which are easily accessible and have a strong pedestrian or traffic flow.

Ashby's expansion has already allowed land to be made available for stores such as Aldi to be built on the outskirts of the town, with a number of takeaways and a fuel station have grown up at Flagstaff Island next to the A42 junction.

The discount chain is also interested in mixed-use sites, following the success of initiatives such as its Richmond store, where the upper floors of the building are home to Deer Park Primary School.

It adds that its stores will include Lidl's Bakery, offering freshly baked bread, biscuits and pastries, created by the discounter's in-store bakers throughout the day.

All new Lidl stores will feature solar panels on the exterior to provide renewable energy for the site, in addition to the installation of electric vehicle charging points.

Each new store will also become part of Lidl's food redistribution programme Feed It Back, which sees surplus food donated to those within local communities that need it the most, via food banks or partner charities.

The list of site requirements comes as Lidl's store expansion continues rapidly. So far this year, it has opened more than 20 new stores across the country.

Christian Härtnagel, CEO at Lidl GB said: "We are calling on developers and landlords up and down the country to help find potential sites for us to build Lidl stores, which demonstrates the continued ambition we have to further expand our store portfolio across the nation.

"Despite the challenges of the past year, we still managed to meet our ambitious target of opening, on average, one new store per week across Great Britain.

"We are looking forward to opening more stores throughout the country and welcoming new colleagues in the coming months and years, so that more communities can access quality food at the lowest prices on the market."

As part of its ongoing plans, Lidl has committed to investing £1.3bn in its store expansion over 2021 and 2022.