Lidl has published its annual list of areas across Scotland where it is interested in opening new stores – with five planned for Ayrshire.

The supermarket chain is hoping to open branches in Irvine, Cumnock, Kilmarnock, Largs and Ayr South.

It is offering a significant finder’s fee to any member of the public who successfully identifies a suitable site for a new store.

Richard Taylor, Chief Development Officer at Lidl GB, said: “We know that the majority of Scottish shoppers still love doing their shopping in person and we are as committed as ever to opening new stores”

He added: “But there are still communities up and down the country that are telling us how much they want – and need - a Lidl store.”

Last year, two Lidl applications for a site at Stanecastle roundabout were rejected by North Ayrshire Council despite widespread community support for the plans.

The town’s Lidl Action Group also fought to overturn the council’s decision but were unsuccessful.

The budget supermarket is investing £1.3billion in its expansion across 2021 and 2022 and aims to have 1,100 stores by the end of 2025. Other areas where they are looking for suitable sites are in Aberdeenshire, Dundee, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Fife, Glasgow and North Lanarkshire.

Since the start of 2022, Lidl has so far opened 23 new stores across the UK, including in Bellshill, Blairgowrie and Edinburgh Straiton

The finder’s fee is 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 £1.5 million site purchase.

Contact Lidl to find out more about the Ayrshire programme and potential rewards.