SCOTLAND – Supermarket chain Aldi is set to invest US$30.8935 million in a bid to expand its Bathgate distribution centre located in West Lothian after receiving the approval from West Lothian Council.

Aldi plans to boost its distribution capacity with 196,000 square feet storage and chill facility, creating more than 200 new jobs at the centre, where 470 staff is already based.

According to Aldi, the facility will strengthen its market position in Scotland where it offers a range of Scottish products from 350 to more than 400.

Targeting a total of 78 stores in Scotland, the distribution centre will facilitate the expansion of its product ranges.

Aldi is seeing the number of customers in Scotland driven not only by the value Aldi is so well known for but by the incredible range of quality Scottish-sourced products available across all of its stores.

According to the report published by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), Aldi generates more than 469.5812 million of gross domestic product for the Scottish economy with tangible contribution in areas such as taxation, investment, job creation and the supply chain.

“We’re investing heavily in Scotland to enable the business to achieve continued growth.

“These new facilities in Bathgate represent a steadfast commitment to Scotland and will enable Aldi to deliver significant economic benefit for the local area through investment and increased employment,” said Richard Holloway, regional managing director for Scotland.

The company said that they were confident of expanding their customer base north of the border with particular focus on opening new stores and increasing the number of local producers.

Work is expected to start on the site later this year, with completion due in 2020.

Aldi operates 78 stores in Scotland with plans to open seven more by the end of 2018.