Lidl sets sights on “hundreds” of new UK store openings
Lidl has announced plans to open “hundreds” of new UK stores and to create thousands of jobs as it looks to reach more households across the country.
Over the next few months, the supermarket will welcome shoppers to new shops in places like Bristol, Birmingham and Berwick, as well as London’s Wandsworth, Fulham, Hoxton and Canning Town.
Lidl has also published a list of desired locations for new sites as it looks to grow its presence in cities such as Edinburgh, Leeds, Liverpool, and towns ranging from Woking and Wadebridge to Dumfries and Didcot.
The news follows a year of significant infrastructure investment by Lidl which has included the opening of its largest global warehouse in Luton and the completion of an extension to its Welsh distribution centre in Bridgend.
This year marks 30 years since the opening of Lidl’s first store in the UK.
Richard Taylor, Lidl GB chief development officer, said: “As we celebrate our 30th year, our commitment to ensuring that all households across the country have access to high quality produce at affordable prices is stronger than ever.
“We’re planning to open hundreds of new Lidl stores but ultimately see no ceiling on our ambition or growth potential. This is why we’re continuing to invest in new locations whilst exploring innovative routes to expansion.
“As we look ahead, we’re excited to welcome even more new shoppers to our existing stores, as well as those we’re planning to open across the country in the coming months and years.”
The supermarket will pay a finders’ fee of either 1.5% of the total freehold purchase price, or 10% of the first year’s rent for leaseholds, if a site is successfully identified.
