Aldi has reconfirmed that work to build its new West Cumbrian store will start this year.
It also gained permission to build a larger store in Whitehaven on Preston Street.
While work has started on the new Whitehaven store, work is still yet to begin on the new Egremont supermarket.
Initially, it was hoped the Whitehaven store would be open by Christmas, but the chain has now said both stores will be open in 2026.
A spokesman added: “We have now started the construction of our new Whitehaven store. This will create up to 50 jobs and enable local people to shop and save closer to home.
“We’re also excited to begin construction on our new Egremont store this year and plan to open both stores next year.”
Aldi said the two new stores will see a combined investment of £14 million go into the local economy.
Alongside the 50 full-time jobs being created, staff at the existing Whitehaven store will be retained.
It added that additional employment opportunities during construction of the stores and in the supply chain will also be created.
Aldi initially lodged a planning application for the Egremont site early last year – but faced several requests to provide more details on how the new store would impact traffic in the area.
The plans remained on hold for most of the year, which prompted concerns from townsfolk that Aldi was looking at other sites for a new store in Whitehaven, rather than Egremont.
But Aldi later said it remained committed to both towns and had been working on plans for an improved, larger store in Whitehaven and a new store in Egremont simultaneously.
