Every Lidl helps: customers welcome new store to town
QUEUES formed ready for the opening of a new supermarket in Leek last Thursday morning.
Eager shoppers started to arrive just after 7.30am ready for the 8am opening of the new Lidl supermarket located in Buxton Road.
Many civic dignitaries along with pupils from Leek First School and Stafford and Newport town crier Peter Taunton attended the event.
Mr Taunton is the official Lidl town crier who travels around the country opening the company’s new stores.
The official cutting of the ribbon at 8am was performed by Leek town mayor, Roy Tomkinson and Leek First School pupils.
Welcoming shoppers at the entrance door prior to the official opening, Mr Taunton said: “It is a honour to be in Leek performing the opening of the wonderful Lidl group new store.”
The first customer to pass through the doors following the opening ceremony was Edise Wright, 47, who lives near the new store.
She said: “Lidl will be very good for the town. I will now not have to walk from the town carrying my shopping back home, so it ideal for me.
“I also think the store will be brilliant for the people of Leek and the surrounding area.”
Second customer to the store was 43-year-old Jane Prince.
She said: “I live nearby so it will be better for me. I can just pop in when I have finished work.
“I also think it is a good thing for the people of the Leek and the surrounding area.”
Leek town mayor, Roy Tomkinson, said he welcomed a new asset to the town.
He said: “This large store is in a good location with a good catchment area. It is well designed and laid out and has a great car park.
“There is a wide range of goods and the store also has its own bakery.”
The official opening ceremony was also attended by the leader of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, Sybil Ralphs.
She said: “I welcome this new shopping experience for the people of Leek and the Staffordshire Moorlands.
“It is a lovely atmosphere. It demonstrates that the retail trade and developers are looking at Leek.
“The town is an attractive area to invest in and investment is increasing.”
The new manager of the store is Craig Brookes from Biddulph Moor.
He said: “It is great to be able to turn around an unused building.
“It is exciting to open a new store which has its own bakery. We have had a buzz from many local people.
“We are now part of the community and have a staff of around 30 people, We still have a few vacancies.
“I am very pleased with the staff and the property team and what they have achieved in the time.”
Jo Hawley, Lidl’s regional head of property, said: “We’re delighted to have opened our new store in Leek, and I’d like to thank Leek First School and all of the local dignitaries here today for their help in making this an amazing store opening.
“It’s great to see so many people already enjoying the new store and I know the team here are really looking forward to getting to know their new customers.
“The store stocks our full range of award-winning products and will provide more choice and convenience for shoppers. Importantly, it has also breathed new life into a key local site, ensuring it once again plays an important role in the town.”