New Lidl store is set to open

Lidl’s controversial new store is due to open its new store on Thursday September 25.

It still has a store on the Moira Road.

Though Mr Redpath spoke of his concern about the traffic impact that it would have on the area close to the large Tesco store and two large schools he welcomed the jobs boost for the area.

Mr Redpath said, “I am always pleased to see jobs and investment coming to Lisburn.

“Whilst I opposed the location of this store owing to traffic problems and complaints from residents I think a Lidl store in Lisburn will create jobs and increase the range of choice for Lisburn shoppers.

“Lidl operates over 10,000 stores in Europe with over 590 in the UK.

“They have a reputation for delivering affordable products which will provide extra options for hard pressed families.”

The opening of the store which is due soon comes after a long and bitter battle among residents who fought against the development for nearly seven years.

Local residents had concerns about the building of another supermarket on an already busy part of the city.

It was just two years ago, when Lidl was finally given the go ahead for the store.

Residents opposed to the building, succeeded in having the store reduced in size to 1,065 square metres and they also managed to get tree preservation orders on trees at the site.

The Planning Appeals Commission finally gave the store the go ahead.

When Lidl first applied for planning permission they had originally sought for a store of over 1770 sq metres on the same site with additional retail units.

A second planning application for the site included a store and nine townhouses. However both applications were rejected by the Planning Service.

Tree preservation orders were also put in place and Lidl were told by the PAC to carry out additional tree planting and landscaping to all of the boundaries and this must be done before the site opens.

There are also number of other conditions that have also been attached to the planning permission to protect the residents’ amenity in the area.

Lidl operate 590 stores across the UK and has been enjoying rapid growth at the expense of large supermarkets. Lidl’s share of the UK Grocery market hit 3% for the first time last year.”