Town could get two new Lidl stores

BUDGET supermarket giant Lidl has announced plans for more than 1,000 new stores - and has earmarked two for Macclesfield.

It wants to open one in the south of the town and another in the north as part of 30 in Cheshire as well as one in Poynton.

According to Lidl, the supermarket has been the fastest expanding bricks-and-mortar supermarket for the past seven months.

The company is also offering a ‘finders’ fee’ to those who successfully identify a new site.

Lidl says it will pay either 1.5 per cent of the total freehold purchase price, or 10 per cent of the first year’s rent for leaseholds, which would equate to £22,500 for a completed £1.5m site purchase.

Criteria that Lidl is looking for in a site includes a prominent location with easy access and strong pedestrian or traffic flow, with 1.5 or more acres for a standalone store and up to four acres for mixed-use schemes.

Sites should allow for unit sizes between 18,000 and 26,500 sq ft and over 100 parking spaces.

Richard Taylor, chief development officer for Lidl, said: “We have also been the fastest growing bricks and mortar supermarket for the past seven months in a row.

“We’re planning to open hundreds of new Lidl stores but ultimately see no ceiling on our ambition or growth potential. This is why we’re continuing to invest in new locations whilst exploring innovative routes to expansion.”