Superstore opens the doors to its eighth city branch

CARDIFF’S newest Lidl store has opened its doors to customers.

The Llandaff North branch opened yesterday morning with customers queuing outside to get a first look at the bargains on offer.

One of the first customers through the doors was Sarah Caple, who lives in Llandaff North.

She said: “It is very spacious and well laid out. It will be nice not to have to use the car to shop and still be able to pay low prices.”

Sid Golding, 79, said: “I think it’s fantastic. We have been waiting a good few years for this.

“I like to help out the pensioners and my neighbours around here, so they’ve all given me what they wanted and I’ve come to pick it up for them. The store looks fantastic too.”

Lady Margaret Ford, 71, said: “I spoke on behalf of the residents of Llandaff North at the council meetings about the store.

“We needed a good place like this for local people to come to, and we are absolutely delighted.

“It’s an older community here, and we are all delighted that the new store is here.

“The store looks brilliant too, the high ceilings are fantastic.”

Councillor Jennifer Burke Davies, who bought two plants, said: “It’s fantastic. Being able to give jobs to the local community is brilliant.

“It’s another positive impact on the area, and I think it looks amazing too. It’s nice and bright. I think it will draw more people to Llandaff North, having a good impact on the local cafes and bring people to the park.

“I think it will be a focal point for the community.”

The new store, which has created 40 new jobs, is described as the firm’s first “metropolitan” store in Wales, designed to fit into “inner-city” areas where space is tight.

The new store includes an in-store bakery, longer tills with dual packing spaces, toilets and baby changing facilities, and bike and car parking spaces.

The new store is part of the discount supermarket chain’s plans to increase the number of its stores from 650 to 1,500.

The glass front is designed to maximise natural daylight in the building and there are automatic blinds inside.

Lidl UK’s regional head of property Paul Hebblethwaite said: “We would like to thank all those who have played a part in bringing this new Lidl store to Cardiff, which will be our eighth in the city.

“It is fantastic for us to be able to create more jobs and investment opportunities in the area and we can’t wait to start serving our multi-award winning products to the local community, who have been instrumental in helping Lidl gain consent for the store.”

The store was given planning approval in November 2015 after years of negotiations.

The chain said it had designed a special store to meet the demands of the land it had.

But concerns were raised by some residents about the loss of local facilities to make room.