Merseyside Set to Benefit from Aldi´s £1.6bn Expansion Plan

ALDI has revealed that Merseyside is 1 of the areas it is targeting as part of its £1.6bn expansion plan over the next 2 years.

In its annual trading update earlier this week, the UK’s 4th largest supermarket said it planned to open:- 80 stores across:- 2026 and 2027 to meet the UK’s growing demand for affordable groceries. The £1.6bn investment will also go towards upgrades to new stores and the development of distribution centres.

The supermarket has now confirmed it will spend an estimated £30m in Merseyside over this 2 year period.

The investment will see Aldi bring a new store to Aintree, with some current stores; including:- Bebington and Liverpool, also set to receive upgrades. The supermarket has also stated that it is looking for sites in Kirkby and North Southport to open new stores over the coming years.

The retailer, which currently has:- 1,060 stores, has previously announced plans to scale to:- 1,500 stores across the UK. It said its expansion would create thousands of jobs and more opportunities for British suppliers.

Giles Hurley, Chief Executive Officer for Aldi UK and Ireland, said:- “Shoppers are still finding things difficult and that’s why we’re staying laser-focused on doing what Aldi does best; offering customers great quality products at unbeatable prices. Nobody else is making the same commitment to everyday low prices; no clubs, no gimmicks, no tricks; just prices our customers can trust and quality they can depend on. Since we opened our 1st UK store more than 35 years ago, we’ve brought high-quality, affordable groceries to almost 800 towns and Cities, but there are hundreds more communities that don’t have an Aldi nearby. We’re more determined than ever to meet that demand, and that’s why we’re investing a record £1.6bn over the next 2 years, to bring Aldi prices closer to millions more customers.”

Aldi confirmed its investment plans alongside financial results for the:- 12 months to December 2024, which showed sales increased to £18.1bn (2023: £17.9bn). Latest data shows Aldi’s sales have accelerated again in 2025, with market share now 10.8%. Earlier this year it overtook Asda to become the UK’s third largest grocer by value of food and drink sales.

Health Experts Urge Liverpool residents to:- 'Protect Against Winter Bugs'

AS winter looms, health chiefs are urging people in Merseyside to roll up their sleeves and get protected with seasonal vaccinations.

Flu and child immunisations are now available to book at:- SSP Health's Orrell Park Medical Centre, on Orrell Lane, as part of a big push to keep communities safe this winter.

In the past 12 months, SSP Health teams have already delivered nearly 25,000 flu vaccinations across the North West, helping thousands of patients stay safe.

Since 1 September 2024, they have delivered 35,221 immunisations across the Region, not just for flu, but for measles, shingles and other preventable illnesses. And in total they've delivered over 1 million jabs to people in the area.

Nationally, flu leads to an average of around 17,000 deaths in England each year and since the start of 2025.

SSP Health CEO Andy Scaife said:- "Vaccines are 1 of the best protections we've got, for ourselves, our families and our neighbours. We want people to enjoy the winter season without the worry of flu, measles, or other preventable illnesses. Getting your jab is quick, safe and could make all the difference."

It's not just flu that Doctors are warning about this winter. 3 other seasonal vaccines are also being urged for older and at risk groups:- shingles, pneumococcal (IPD) and RSV.

Around 50,000 shingles cases hit over 70s in England and Wales every year, with almost a 3rd of patients developing long lasting nerve pain called post-herpetic neuralgia. In severe cases, shingles can be fatal, with:- 1 in 1,000 over 70s dying from it. The vaccine is now offered from age 65 in stages, as well as to those severely immunosuppressed from age 18.

Pneumococcal (IPD) can cause pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis, killing thousands every year. More than 5,000 cases of invasive pneumococcal disease are diagnosed annually in England, mainly affecting the:- very young, elderly and those with chronic conditions. All adults aged:- 65 and over, plus those aged:- 2 to 64, in clinical risk groups, are eligible.

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is a major cause of respiratory illness in infants and older adults. It is behind:- 175,000 GP visits and up to:- 7,500 deaths among older adults in England and Wales every winter, mostly in people over 75. From this year, all adults aged:- 75 to 79, will be called for the vaccine, with pregnant women also eligible.

This winter, the free NHS flu jab is being offered to those most at risk, including:- everyone aged 65 and over, children aged 2 and 3, and all primary School pupils plus some Secondary School students in Years 7 to 11. Pregnant women, care home residents, people with certain medical conditions (including:- babies over 6 months old), carers, those living with immunocompromised people, and frontline health and social care workers are also encouraged to get protected.

To make things simple, flu vaccinations at Orrell Park Medical Centre are currently only available to pregnant women and children, with all other eligible groups being able to get theirs from:- 1 October 2025. People can still book an appointment to get the Flu vaccine now for after:- 1 October 2025, but the practice won't be able to offer the vaccine to those groups until that date.

Andy added:- "We know life is busy, but getting vaccinated is 1 of the most important things you can do for your health. If you're eligible, don't put it off. Book your jab and give yourself peace of mind for the winter months."

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