Shropshire-based independent supermarket Stans Superstore is considering opening a second store to battle ever-increasing competition in its area.

Four multiples were moving into the Oswestry area in the next two years and a second store could be one way of battling the competition, said partner Andrew Faulks. Stans currently operates from a single outlet in the Shropshire village of St Martin.

“We have never ruled out acquiring a second store, depending on price and location,” he said. “With all the new competition, maybe the time is right.”

This week, Morrisons announced it was taking over the Somerfield store in Oswestry, while a Tesco store is set to open four miles away in July.

Stans would also make itself more competitive by extending its 28,000 sq ft store by 5,000 sq ft, said Faulks. The store, which is co-branded with Nisa-Today’s, posted sales of £17.2m last year, up from £16.1m the year before.

Almost half the new area will become a state-of-the-art coffee shop and restaurant, with a serveover counter offering baguettes, paninis, pastries and cakes.

The remainder will provide space for seasonal lines, greetings cards and gift displays and a customer services desk.

“We are adding a glass foyer to the front of the store to create a more spacious entrance and give the store a nicer, more relaxed feel,” Faulks said.

Work started last week and is expected to be completed by June.

Last September Stans sold what it claimed was the cheapest fuel in Britain, slashing up to 11p off a litre of unleaded petrol.