Supermarket growth Co-op and Lidl unveil plans to expand in city

TWO supermarket chains have spoken of their plans to expand in Bristol. Building work is currently taking place to build a larger Co-op store next door to its current site on Gloucester Road in Bristol.

The site, which also sits next to The Anchor pub on the bustling shopping road, was the home of a car park for the current Co-op supermarket at 335 Gloucester Road, and a car wash.

The Post reported back in January 2022, that the Manchesterbased retailer had applied to Bristol City Council for a new premises licence, which would see the site transformed into a new purpose built Co-op food store.

Signs have now appeared at the site for construction company ABGi, and the Co-op has confirmed that its brand new ‘purposebuilt’ store will be opening later this summer.

The plans would see the existing store shut and replaced by the new store on the land right beside it.

However, the Co-op store at number 335 currently remains open and building work has not yet finished on the new build.

A spokesperson for Co-op said: “The move represents a significant investment to transform the shopping experience and better serve the local community.

“The new store will include a focus on fresh, healthy produce, as well as meal ideas, everyday essentials, food-to-go, Fairtrade products, flowers, chilled beers and award-winning wines, ready meals, pizzas and free-from, vegan and plant-based products.”

Co-op also confirmed that the current Horfield store colleagues would be transferring over to the new store once it launches later in the summer.

There is currently no exact opening date confirmed, but shoppers can rest assured that the longawaited new supermarket will be opening in the coming months.

Meanwhile, fellow supermarket Lidl yesterday announced it planned to open hundreds of new stores across the country including a string in Bristol.

The expansion would create thousands of new jobs.

Lidl, which is part of the Schwarz retail group, is now in its 30th year and has recently invested heavily in its infrastructure, including a global warehouse in Luton.

It is now on the lookout for sites across the nation, including in Bristol, Somerset, Gloucestershire and surrounding areas.

The supermarket giant has published a list of desired locations for potential new stores.

They said sites should allow for unit sizes between 18,000 and 26,500 sq ft and over 100 dedicated car parking spaces.

Lidl said it will also consider freehold, leasehold or long leasehold opportunities.

Potential locations in Bristol are Bradley Stoke, Clifton, Downend, Staple Hill, Emersons Green, Stoke Bishop, Westbury on Trym and Whitchurch.

Richard Taylor, Lidl GB chief development officer, said: “Having fortified our infrastructure with significant investments like Luton, which is the largest warehouse in the Lidl world, we’re proud to have achieved record market share this month.

“We have also been the fastest growing bricks and mortar supermarket for the past seven months in a row.

“As we celebrate our 30th year, our commitment to ensuring that all households across the country have access to high quality produce at affordable prices is stronger than ever.

“We’re planning to open hundreds of new Lidl stores but ultimately see no ceiling on our ambition or growth potential.”

We’re planning to open hundreds of new Lidl stores but ultimately see no ceiling

Richard Taylor