A new Aldi store has taken a step closer to opening and will provide more than 40 jobs.

The discount supermarket chain will arrive at Hedge End Retail Park this year – but a date is yet to be confirmed.

An Aldi spokesperson said: “Construction for our new Hedge End store is progressing well as we move towards opening later this year.

“This will create up to 45 jobs for the community and enable people to shop and save closer to home.

“The store will be in our new layout, which ensures more space for fresh, chilled and food-to-go ranges. It will be much brighter with simpler layouts and wider aisles.

“We will keep the community updated on developments.”

The controversial development came to fruition last year after plans were approved.

READ MORE: Campaigners fighting plans to open new Aldi store near M27

The supermarket will replace the former DFS store in unit one of the retail park.

This comes after plans were approved last year, almost 12 months since they were originally submitted.

But, it faced fierce opposition from residents.

Objectors feared the proposed new store would create extra traffic problems by overloading junction 7 of the motorway.

One objection read: "Hedge End already becomes gridlocked at peak times and will be much worse if Aldi opens.

"I can't see customers doing a large food shop using anything other than a car. The volume of extra cars generated if Aldi is granted permission will be highly detrimental to the road network."