A MAJOR discount supermarket could be coming to Romsey after bosses revealed plans to expand across the south.

Supermarket retailer Lidl plans to "double its portfolio" and continue its “phenomenal growth”.

The German chain is now looking for “great quality locations” to open new stores.

Romsey is one of the nine sites marked by Lidl – although the town centre already has an Aldi, and a Waitrose.

Councillor Mark Cooper, who represents Romsey Tadburn, said: “A Lidl in a town centre, or edge of town centre, location would be welcome in Romsey.

"Smaller shops and businesses are very reliant on ‘footfall’ and overspill shopping generated by the presence of Waitrose and Aldi and an additional popular supermarket would reinforce the number of shoppers using Romsey.

"But two matters are pre-conditions. A new Lidl must be in or very near to the Town Centre and there must be adequate off-street parking.”

In the borough of Eastleigh it plans stores for Chandlers Ford, Hedge End.

In Southampton, it hopes to open stores in Bassett, Bitterne and Portswood, while relocating its stores in Totton and Townhill.

Further afield its has its sites on locations in Lymington and in Winchester it has earmarked sites in the town centre and at Badgers Farm.

Councillor for Valley Park, Alan Dowden, said: "I can probably see the reason for Romsey, they could do with another supermarket.

"I am surprised in regards that they would want to come to Chandlers Ford. We already have ASDA, Aldi, a few Co-op supermarkets and Waitrose and Tesco mini Supermarkets.

"Supermarkets are going to suffer financially as we already have too many, so I personally wouldn’t welcome it in Chandler’s Ford."

Despite the company’s plans to expand it has not given details of any specific sites.

A spokesperson for Lidl said: “As part of ongoing national expansion plans, our dedicated property teams are working hard to identify suitable locations across England, Scotland and Wales.

"This is for both new stores where there is demand for a Lidl, and existing stores that we would like to remodel for customers, which may require a relocation to do so.

"We would encourage any landowners or agents who may be aware of suitable sites, to get in touch with our property teams to discuss.”