Work starts on new Lidl
Firm says they hope to open new store at end of summer
CONSTRUCTION of Hinckley’s new Lidl store has got underway this week.
Permission for the store was granted by planning officers at Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council. The store will replace Lidl’s existing store on Hawley Road and will create up to 20 new jobs when opened.
The build is expected to take seven months with a view to opening towards the end of summer 2019.
Lidl UK’s Regional Head of Property, Andrew Hodgkinson, commented: “There’s been much anticipation for this new Lidl store in Hinckley and it’s great that we are now in a position to start the build.
“We are extremely grateful for all the support that we have received so far and would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding whilst we enter this next phase of the development.”
After the demolition of the old HJ Hall Sock factory in 2017, the 2.25 acre site was cleared to make way for the new Lidl store of 2,146 sq m.
Shoppers can expect to find a 118 space customer car park on the east of the site and a build that is designed with a contemporary style and a clean, modern appearance, according to the plans submitted with the application.
It is also expected that the building will be fully glazed at the south gable and the entrance area presenting a bright, welcoming presence, with a broad shading canopy sheltering the entrance and trolley store to prevent any solar gain.
Hinckley BID Director, Steve Wegerif, has welcomed the plans to replace the existing supermarke.
He said: “The new Lidl store being built in Hinckley is further confirmation that what the Borough Council and Hinckley BID are doing to keep Hinckley attractive to businesses and visitors alike is really working.
“For Lidl and Aldi to choose and invest in building state-of-theart large stores with their own substantial car parks in Hinckley Town centre can only be great news for businesses and residents alike. They also bring further new and welcome employment opportunities.”
Supermarket chain Lidl will not be the only new addition to the town as work is currently underway to construct a new Aldi store on Holliers Walk.
Diggers are already in action to make way for the 1,804 sq m site which will include 111 car park spaces.
The new store is also expected to bring employment to the town, by creating 20 full-time and 20-part time jobs.
It is not yet known how the existing Lidl site on Hawley Road will be used once the new store is opened, but a spokesperson for the supermarket has confirmed that they are currently exploring the best option.
The new store on Coventry Road will add to the German group’s existing store portfolio of 730 and will form part of the company’s growth plans which hope to see it open up to 50 stores a year.