Lidl plots invasion of town as it expands
SUPERMARKET chain Lidl wants to open two new Southport stores as part of a major expansion. Alongside Aldi, the discount retailer has enjoyed rapid growth in recent years and managed to fight the dominance of the likes of Tesco and Asda by offering a smaller range of discounted, nonbranded items.
It is plotting another assault on the UK market and Lidl bosses have revealed plans to double their portfolio of stores across the UK.
The German retailer shared a list of target locations for store openings as part of efforts to attract landowners to identify sites for new stores.
That list includes two in Southport – one listed as Birkdale / Ainsdale and another as Southport North – as well as one in Formby and another in Crosby.
It already has premises on Virginia Street on the edge of Southport town centre and it is anticipated that any new stores would be in addition to this rather than a replacement.
Lidl is also expected to open its new Ormskirk store in the coming weeks and has been lined up as an anchor tenant in plans which have been approved to create a new Skelmersdale town centre.
Meanwhile, rival chain Aldi recently opened a Birkdale supermarket on the site of a former industrial estate on Liverpool Road which, despite intitial opposition from residents, has proved an early success. It also wants to open a store in Tarleton and has a planning application for that one under consideration by West Lancashire Borough Council.
A Lidl spokesman said: “As part of ongoing national expansion plans, our dedicated property teams are working hard to identify suitable locations across England, Scotland and Wales. This is for both new stores where there is demand for a Lidl, and existing stores that we would like to remodel for customers, which may require a relocation to do so.
“We would encourage any landowners or agents who may be aware of suitable sites, to get in touch with our property teams to discuss.”
WHAT do you think? Would you welcome two new Lidl stores in Southport? Where in Birkdale / Ainsdale or Southport North would you like to see them open?
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