The chain, which announced sales were up 23 per cent this year, has asked for permission to extend the sales area of its Northway outlet from 760 square metres to 890.

The extension will be at the back of the store and will use part of a former storage area.

The application to Scarborough Council's planning department is currently pending consideration and has a target date for a decision on December 10.

There have been no objections to the plans. The move has also received a positive assessment on its retail impact from Leeds-based firm Turley Associates.

Part of the statement reads: "The proposed extension will have a positive impact on the vitality and viability of Scarborough town centre through an enhancement and improvement of this existing site.

"Furthermore, the extension is appropriate for this location and will provide the necessary improvements to the retail offer, customer choice and operation of the store."

Simon Plumb, Aldi's property director, said: "We hope that we will receive a positive outcome to the planning application so that we are able to provide shoppers with an even better Aldi store, offering an improved shopping environment."

He added that the extension, if passed, will form part of the store improvement programme which Aldi intends to implement in 2009.