DISCOUNT supermarket Aldi is planning to take over an Office Outlet store in Poole after the stationery chain collapsed into administration.

The retailer has submitted proposals to convert the unit at Fleets Corner, which is adjacent to Wren Kitchens.

Its planning application states the proposed shop would “address the limited discount food store provision in the area” – although rival chain Lidl has a store less than a mile away in Hatch Pond Road.

It would be the second Aldi to open in Poole, and more than 30 jobs would be created according to the German firm. Aldi’s plans to open another store on the former Parrs Confectionery site in Poole have been delayed after the council raised concerns about its close proximity to the existing Aldi in Wallisdown.

The proposed store at the Office Outlet unit would “invigorate the site” and “provide a valuable service to the local community”, Aldi’s planning application states.

“[It] provides an excellent opportunity to ensure that a retail unit does not become vacant, whilst not impacting on the overall stock of available bulky goods/ DIY floorspace across the borough.”

In 2014, the council refused to allow another unit at Poole Retail Park to become a food store, stating it would be “inappropriate on a retail park designated for DIY retail and bulky good sales”.

However, Aldi argues there are currently several vacant units in retail parks throughout Poole, and “the loss of this unit to a discount food store will not have an impact on the overall stock of available bulky goods/ DIY floorspace across the borough”.

“This application provides an excellent opportunity to reuse an available retail unit on a brownfield site, and will allow for a discount food store to improve the retail offer in the local area,” it said.

“Aldi has had a longstanding requirement to open a store in the north west of Poole, and indeed it is considered there is considerable qualitative need for an additional discount food store to serve the town and surrounding areas.”

Lidl also has plans to open a store in the Office Outlet unit in Holdenhurst Road, Bournemouth.

Office Outlet, formerly known as Staples, went into administration in March, putting 1,200 jobs at risk.