Lidl is pushing ahead with its national expansion plans as it exchanges on a £70m sale and leaseback deal and plans to open 10 new stores before Christmas.

The sale and leaseback deal, which is a joint venture between Roadside Real Estate and Meadow Partners, includes 12 new stores in locations such as Crediton, Manchester, and Saffron Walden.

Lidl GB chief development officer Richard Taylor said: “Our sale and leaseback deal is just the latest example of how we’re continuing to expand our footprint across the country, ensuring that even more households can benefit from a Lidl store nearby.”

Meanwhile, the discounter’s 10 new openings before Christmas, which include Berwick Green in Bristol, Bovey Tracey in Devon and Stirchley in Birmingham, will create around 400 jobs.

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In London alone, the discounter is opening three new stores in Hoxton, Forest Gate and Caterham.

In addition to the new sites, Lidl will reopen three existing stores that have either been relocated or refurbished and extended, including Chessington, Connah’s Quay and Dagenham Heathway.

It follows a recent opening in Worthing at the end of the summer, followed by a new Fulham store in September.

Taylor added: “Our plan to open 10 new stores before Christmas demonstrates our continued commitment to providing more communities across the country with access to affordable, quality food, as well as employment opportunities. But we still have big ambitions for our expansion plans to open hundreds more Lidl stores in the future.

“Our teams are constantly scouring the country for new sites, identifying opportunities not just in towns where we don’t currently have stores, but also in areas where existing stores are experiencing increasing demand.”