Plans under way for two new supermarkets in south Bray

TWO new supermarkets are expected to open in Bray in the coming years. According to Deputy John Brady, developers of the Southern Cross site have informed him that they struck a deal with SuperValu and plan to open in June.

SuperValu had not responded to a request for information at the time of going to print. Lidl was granted planning permission last year for the old AO Smith site on Boghall Road. ‘Our plans for redevelopment of the A O’Smith site are still very much alive,’ said a spokesman for Lidl. ‘We are in the detailed design stage of the project and we expect a new Lidl store to open on the site in early to mid 2021.’

Neither store has responded to queries regarding the future of their existing premises in Bray, both located towards the north of the town.

Deputy John Brady said that services for residents of the Southern Cross are ‘ long overdue’.

Deputy Brady also called on Musgrave’s to clarify the future of their current store on Castle Street in Little Bray.

‘I’m absolutely delighted that after many years of pushing to get services onto the Southern Cross, it has been confirmed to me that SuperValu are going to be the tenants of the new 2,493 sqm supermarket,’ he said. ‘Site preparation commenced a number of weeks ago, however the contractor constructing the new store only moved on site this week. It is estimated that the SuperValu store will be completed by June next.’

Cllr Dermot O’Brien said that this is really good news for the Southern Cross community ‘who have been suffering the absence of local services for far too long’.

He welcomed the inclusion of a neighbourhood centre with small retail, childcare, health and youth and community services included in the second phase. ‘Local community services are a key part of a positive response to climate change as we are removing the need for people to get in their cars and travel distances for basic services,’ said Cllr O’Brien.

Lidl Ireland have told Deputy Brady that they will start development on the AO Smith site in June.

‘ The AO Smith site on the Boghall Road has unfortunately lain derelict since 2005 when the factory closed with a loss of 140 jobs. Last year Lidl Ireland secured planning permission to develop a new store on the site; however there were concerns in the community that the development wouldn’t proceed,’ he said. ‘Over the last number of months I have been in contact with Lidl and they have now confirmed that they are committed to developing their new store on the site. They are at detailed design stage and anticipate that work to demolish the old AO Smith factory will commence in June next. The opening of the new Lidl store is expected to take place in early 2021.’

The new Lidl store is the first phase of the redevelopment of the AO Smith site. No planning application has been submitted for the remainder of the site. There is residential zoning on it that could accommodate 120 apartments.