Aldi has pledged to double its UK store estate to 1,000 shops over the next seven years as its relentless march looks set to continue.

The discount grocer is planning to open 50 to 65 stores a year according to joint managing director Matthew Barnes, The Daily Mail reported.

“For the foreseeable future, 65 new stores a year is not out of the question,” he said. “We think 1,000 stores is an absolute possibility.”

It is also planning to upgrade its existing stores as it ups pressure on the big four grocers, from which it has been stealing share.

Aldi has been building extensions and bigger car parks in some of its sites as its popularity has led to bottlenecks at both car parks and tills.