IT'S OFFICIAL - German food giant Aldi has bought Waitrose's redundant Romsey store.

Aldi confirmed the news on Monday. The Romsey Advertiser exclusively revealed the cost-cutting chain was close to clinching the deal with Waitrose in mid-December - allowing the company to open a branch in The Hundred.

Aldi and Waitrose finally signed on the dotted line on New Year's Eve

Aldi says Romsey shoppers will be able to buy 650 own brands of food, wines and grocery items.

Before Aldi moves into its new Romsey branch alterations will be made to the inside of the building. This is to create what Aldi said will a "simple attractive store environment" where shoppers will be offered the full range of the company's products.

In addition to food and wine Aldi stock clothes, sportswear, electrical goods, PCs and homewares.

A company spokesperson said: "We are delighted to confirm that Aldi Stores Ltd is the new owner of the former Waitrose store. We are currently drawing up plans to adapt the store so that it can offer Romsey shoppers the full range of award-winning Aldi own brand food and wines, regionally sourced fresh fruit and vegetables and regionally baked bread, as well as an ever-changing range of weekly special buys including fashions, electricals and homewares."

Aldi has not confirmed when it will open its Romsey store but it is thought it could be within the next few months.

Nationwide Aldi has 268 stores. The company's regional HQ is at Swindon.

Waitrose spokeswoman Gill Smith said the deal was good news for Romsey. "We believe that Aldi will complement what we have to offer in the town."

Test Valley Borough Council estates boss Brian Nicholas said: "This will extend the choice for food retailing in Romsey which was always the council's intention and the parking (behind Waitrose's old store) will continue to be used for shoppers," said the officer.