Plans Revealed to Extend Hartlepool Aldi Store as Retailer Says They’re Struggling With Demand...
Aldi Reveals Plans for Major Hartlepool Store Expansion After Customer Demand Soars
9th October 2026
Supermarket giant Aldi has unveiled plans for a significant expansion of its popular Dunston Road store in Hartlepool, with newly submitted planning documents revealing the supermarket has been trading well above expected levels as demand from local shoppers continues to grow.
The German discount retailer is seeking permission from Hartlepool Borough Council to extend its existing supermarket, increase the amount of shopping space available to customers and undertake a substantial refurbishment of the building.
The proposals, detailed in a 50-page Planning and Retail Statement prepared by planning consultants Avison Young on behalf of Aldi Stores Ltd, would see the supermarket expanded towards Hart Lane, alongside improvements to the car park, customer entrance and surrounding landscaping, with the company saying the investment demonstrates its long-term commitment to Hartlepool, with the additional space intended to help the store cope with increasing demand from shoppers.
Store to Become Almost 40% Bigger in Shopping Space
According to the plans, Aldi intends to increase the supermarket’s net sales area from its existing 810 square metres to 1,118 square metres, representing an increase of approximately 38%.
The building’s gross external floor area would increase from 1,461 square metres to 1,753 square metres, while the proposals would also involve a substantial internal reconfiguration of the store.
The extension would accommodate additional stock, improve the layout of the supermarket and provide shoppers with more room to move around the aisles.
The development would also include a completely refreshed customer entrance and exit, updated external cladding, a new canopy and improvements to the existing trolley storage facilities.
Although the proposed extension would increase the building’s footprint, Aldi says the additional space is primarily intended to accommodate greater quantities of existing products rather than introduce an entirely new retail offering.
Store Has Been Trading Well Above Expectations..
Perhaps one of the most interesting revelations contained within the planning statement concerns just how successful the Dunston Road supermarket has been.
Figures taken from Hartlepool Borough Council’s 2014 Retail and Town Centres Study showed the store achieving an estimated annual convenience goods turnover of £13.53 million, compared with an expected benchmark figure of just £4.88 million.
That represented an astonishing £8.65 million more than would ordinarily have been expected for a supermarket of its size, approximately 175% above the benchmark.
The planning statement explains that the proposed expansion is intended to address congestion and insufficient space for products.
Aldi maintains that the extension is not principally intended to increase the number of customers visiting the supermarket, but instead to provide a better experience for those already shopping there.
Car Park Changes and Electric Vehicle Charging Points…
The plans would also see changes to the existing supermarket car park.
Despite the proposed extension taking up additional space, Aldi intends to reconfigure the parking layout to provide a total of 101 spaces, compared with the current 100.
The revised arrangements would include four electric vehicle charging spaces, six accessible parking spaces and eight parent-and-child spaces.
Cycle parking would also be relocated, with provision for 10 bicycles.
The existing vehicle entrance from Dunston Road, which connects to the mini-roundabout serving Burnston Close, would remain unchanged.
Aldi’s planning consultants argue that the revised arrangements would improve accessibility without creating additional parking pressures.
Deliveries Could Continue During the Night
Aldi’s planning documents also state that the store typically receives between three and four deliveries each day, with deliveries taking place during both daytime and nighttime periods, with the company saying this schedule would remain unchanged following the expansion.
What About Hartlepool Town Centre?
Because the proposed expansion reportedly exceeds the council’s 200-square-metre threshold for assessing the potential retail impact of developments outside designated shopping centres, Aldi has also been required to address the possible consequences for other retailers.
Aldi argues that because the extension would predominantly provide additional space for existing products, it would not significantly alter customers’ shopping habits or divert substantial trade away from other businesses.
Its assessment concludes that the proposal would not have a significant adverse effect on the vitality and viability of protected retail centres.
Aldi has also described the expansion as a significant investment in the town, with the retailer believeing the scheme would provide economic benefits, including employment opportunities, especially during the construction phase, with Aldi saying it aims to use local contractors and suppliers where possible during construction.
The original retail store received planning permission in July 1996, while a previous extension of the store was approved back in 2013, with further alterations to the supermarket’s frontage being allowed in 2014.
Council to Consider Expansion Plans
The planning statement confirms that Aldi has already held pre-application discussions with Hartlepool Borough Council, including a meeting with planning officers and the receipt of formal planning advice.
Nevertheless, the application must still be assessed through the council’s full planning process with a decision expected to be made on the plans sometime in Early December 2026…
