LONDON Road in Salisbury could have not one new supermarket but two.

Aldi wants to build a food store on the site of the former Autecnique showroom which has stood derelict for years.

The discount retailer - which has 7,000 stores across Europe, America and Australia – is holding a public exhibition next Friday to unveil more details about its plans.

The move comes the week after Asda submitted a planning application for permission to build a supermarket with 40,000 sq ft of sales space at Salisbury Retail Park, just up the road at Bishopdown Farm. Aldi says it wants to build a “vibrant new neighbourhood food store” that would bring 30 new jobs to Salisbury.

If its plans are approved it will create new car parking spaces at the adjacent London Road park & ride site and contribute to a new cycleway and footpath.

“We are keen to regenerate a local eyesore site with a new custom built store, designed to complement the existing offering and provide local people with more choice,” said an Aldi spokesman.

“Delivering an Aldi to the area would bridge the gap for a deep discount retailer, with Aldi prices on average between 20 and 50 per cent lower than most supermarkets, without compromising on quality. “We are excited about the prospect of coming to Salisbury in order to offer the local community a genuine choice when completing their weekly food shopping.

“We believe the proposed site offers a real opportunity to provide the community with a much needed premium discount food store.”

Concerns have already been raised about extra traffic on London Road that could be created if the Asda store gets the go-ahead and there are fears a second supermarket could make the situation worse.

Residents have said they are worried London Road could become “another Southampton Road”, with frustrated shoppers and commuters clogging up the route into the city.

Traffic assessments would be carried out as part of the planning process.

Aldi’s public exhibition will be held at Hampton Park Pavilion on Friday, May 23 between 4.30pm and 8.30pm.

Representatives from the supermarket firm will answer questions and local people will be invited to have their say.

More information is also available by calling Aldi’s information line on 0800 2987040 or emailing feedback@consultation-online.co.uk.