Supermarket chain Aldi is hopeful of moving into its Tranent store earlier than first predicted.

It had been expected that the Aldi premises, to be built on the site of the former Tranmare Hotel on Haddington Road, would not open before early 2016. But that the schedule has now been advanced, with the store expected to begin trading before Christmas 2015.

Representatives of Aldi attended a meeting of Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council in May to detail their plans for the building.

However, that schedule has now been brought forward several months.

A spokesman for Aldi told the Courier: “We are hoping to open the store before the end of 2015, subject to the planning application recently lodged being processed by East Lothian Council.” Members of Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council were informed of the news at a recent meeting by chairman Colin Martin, with all those in attendance delighted at the development.

Mr Martin told the Courier: “It’s really good news for the people of Tranent and the surrounding area. If they can get it open before Christmas 2015 then it would be great.” He also hoped the earlier opening would bring business to the town, with shoppers attracted to the supermarket in the run-up to Christmas nextyear.

“More people will be coming into the town and having a look around, so one thing leads to another, and it is excellent news,” he added.

When completed, the store will be Aldi’s third in the county, following ones in Haddington and Musselburgh.

But the Tranent store will be the largest of the county three, and among the biggest in Scotland.

The building work on the site is not expected to commence until the spring.

Meanwhile, Asda has confirmed that it is still going ahead with plans to take over the Co-op store on Haddington Road, as previously revealed by the Courier.

A spokeswoman for Asda said: “We are awaiting a final decision from the Competition and Markets Authority which we expect in mid-October.” However, the Courier understands that Co-op staff have been told the changeover is unlikely to happen until early next year.