Leading supermarket Aldi is calling on small food producers in East Lancashire to get in touch as it looks for new suppliers to partner with in 2023.

The supermarket chain is urging producers of food, drink, and its Specialbuys items, to apply as it continues to increase the number of British businesses it supports in its stores.

It wants to spend an additional £3.5 billion a year with UK suppliers by 2025, and is calling on firms in East Lancashire to apply to be a part of this expansion.

Aldi, the UK's fourth largest supermarket, already partners with around 5,000 British suppliers and has a number of long standing suppliers in the North West.

Aldi has three stores in Blackburn in Montague Street, Bolton Road, and Peel Centre Whitebirk, and also has stores in Great Harwood, Accrington, Longridge, two in Burnley, Rawtenstall, Clitheroe, Colne and Ramsbottom, as well as many more supermarkets across the rest of Lancashire.

Julie Ashfield, managing director of buying at Aldi UK, said: “Working with UK partners is at the heart of our business and three quarters of our sales are from British suppliers.

“We are incredibly proud of these partnerships, and it is amazing to watch so many of our suppliers grow with us. 

“Securing new partners and spending more with British suppliers is leading to the creation of much-needed jobs whilst also boosting British farming and manufacturing.

“We look forward to bringing even more suppliers on board throughout 2023.”

Successful applicants may also be featured in a second season of Aldi’s Next Big Thing on Channel 4, which has been renewed and is set to be on screens in 2024; the show follows the supermarket uncovering and stocking new products from the UK’s best small food and drink producers.

Suppliers based in Lancashire interested in working with Aldi can visit aldi.co.uk/suppliers/becoming-a-supplier to find out more.