Bosses from supermarket giant Lidl say they still have an eye on opening a new store in Helensburgh.

The German company has published a wish list of locations across the UK where it hopes to open new supermarkets as part of a country-wide expansion.

The company has expressed interest in opening 52 new stores in Scotland and relocating a further 15.

No solid plans are in place yet, and a brochure published by Lidl on April 30 does not identify a specific site in Helensburgh.

Nor is it the first time the company has stated its desire to open a store in Helensburgh: the town was named on a similar Lidl 'wish list' in 2021, while its discount rival Aldi has also identified Helensburgh as one of its desired locations.

The latest Lidl list is published as Helensburgh residents and businesses wait to find out the identity of the preferred bidder for the waterfront development site, formerly occupied by Helensburgh Swimming Pool.

Lidl's wish list states the company is looking for sites of between 18,000 and 26,500 square feet in size, plus room for at least 100 car parking spaces.

Argyll and Bute Council's local development plan says the waterfront site could accommodate retail use of "up to 2,700 square metres" - which, converted to imperial measures, is 29,062 square feet.

A report by property consultants Colliers, published by Argyll and Bute Council at the end of January, said there was room in the Helensburgh retail scene for another supermarket - and recommended selling off the town's vacant waterfront development site for retail use to help the town become self-sufficient.

Helensburgh Advertiser: Helensburgh's waterfront development site has been earmarked for retail use.Helensburgh's waterfront development site has been earmarked for retail use. (Image: Newsquest)

That was despite repeated surveys showing that local residents and independent businesses were opposed to the idea of a single large retailer on the site.

The local authority's Helensburgh and Lomond area committee whittled down the list of bidders for the waterfront site to two in March, though the identity of the two bidders remains a closely-guarded secret.

Marks & Spencer and the Co-op have already said they have no plans for a store on the waterfront site.

The council's area committee is due to hold its next meeting on Tuesday, June 4.

Richard Taylor, Lidl GB's chief development officer, said: “With an exceptional store network and our laser focus on operational excellence, we’re welcoming more customers through our doors than ever before, which positions us perfectly for continued expansion.

“As we celebrate our 30th year, our commitment to ensuring that all households across the country have access to high quality produce at affordable prices is stronger than ever.

“We’re planning to open hundreds of new Lidl stores but ultimately see no ceiling on our ambition or growth potential.

“This is why we’re continuing to invest in new locations whilst exploring innovative routes to expansion.

“As we look ahead, we’re excited to welcome even more new shoppers to our existing stores, as well as those we’re planning to open across the country in the coming months and years.”

If a site is successfully identified, the discounter will pay a finders’ fee of either 1.5 per cent of the total freehold purchase price, or 10 per cent of the first year’s rent for leaseholds, which would equate to £22,500 for a completed £1.5m site purchase.

Lidl says  is looking for sites in prominent locations with easy access and strong pedestrian or traffic flow, as well as 1.5+ acres for a standalone store and up to four acres for mixed-use schemes.