Plans for a new Lidl supermarket scheme in Southport creating up to 90 new jobs will be built “at the earliest opportunity”.
One Design Architectural Services Ltd, which is designing the development on land off Marine Drive and Crossens Way, has now submitted a planning application to Sefton Council outlining how it would look.
Lidl’s proposals for a modern, spacious supermarket could create around 30 new full and part-time jobs.
The new store would have a 1,256 sqm sales area, and include an in-store bakery, customer toilets and 111 car parking spaces including disabled, parent & child spaces and rapid electric vehicle charging points.
Part of the site would also be developed into eight small business units, with dedicated parking.
A joint planning application has been submitted with Saltmarsh Estates, which wishes to develop eight small business units on part of the site. The units would range in size from 114 to 234 sq m (gross) and have 38 dedicated parking spaces.
The employment units will have their own access/egress junction and could create between 30 and 60 jobs, depending on the mix of occupiers.
One Design Architectural Services Ltd, in its application, said: “Lidl regards the application site as ideally suited to meet its requirement for a new discount store to better serve the local community.
“Given Lidl’s commitment to continue investing in Southport, the proposed development will, if consented, be constructed at the earliest opportunity and will therefore increase the local communities retail offering.”
Lidl, founded in Germany in the 1930s, commenced trading in the UK in 1994 and now operates over 800 stores nationwide.
Lidl’s ambitious and successful expansion strategy is credited to its retail philosophy centred on principles of simplicity and maximum efficiency at every stage of the business, from supplier to consumer.
It would be the firm’s second store in the town, adding to its existing site on Virginia Street.
The public are invited to comment on the proposals via a dedicated website https://www.marinedrive.expansion.lidl.co.uk and through a leaflet which is being delivered to properties in the area. Residents with questions about the proposals can also call Lidl’s consultation team directly on Freephone number 0800 089 0361.
Lidl’s Regional Head of Property, Stuart Jardine, said: “Our existing Southport store is very popular and we have been looking for the right site to bring a second store to the town for some time.
“We are keen to engage with the local community and so we’re launching a ‘virtual’ public consultation in order to give everyone an opportunity to review our plans.
“We would encourage residents to provide their questions and comments via the project website or the consultation leaflet.”
Lidl has plans for significant investment in the area in the coming months, with ambitious expansion plans across Sefton, Liverpool and Wirral.
The new supermarkets form part of the company’s £1.45bn investment in its expansion across Great Britain in 2019 and 2020.
Anybody unable to access the website or people wishing to find out more are encouraged to call 0800 089 0361 or email scott@royalpilgrim.com
Do you have any stories for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com
