LIDL has officially opened the doors of its landmark 40th Northern Ireland store, with the outlet at Holywood Exchange retail park representing an investment of £3 million and creating 30 jobs.
It is part of a wider plan by the retailer to dramatically enhance its service provision across the north and forms part of a multi-million-pound investment programme to expand its presence in the region with at least nine more supermarkets in the near future.
Occupying a 1,400 sq metre sales floor and a total internal area of 2,050 sq metres, the Holywood Exchange store was opened by representatives from sporting club Queen's Gymnastics, which last year was a winner of the retailer's 'Sport for Good' competition and received £4,000 of support.
The new store boasts a high-quality shopping environment with more space, wider aisles, longer tills, restrooms and baby-changing facilities.
Customers can also avail of a new ‘Lidl-to-Go’ coffee machine and a larger bakery area offering a wider range of freshly baked goods. The store also includes improved facilities for store staff such as a larger canteen, welfare area and shower facilities.
Store manager Eoin Doherty said: “We are committed to delivering high quality, locally-produced products at market-leading prices and it has long been our ambition to bring this winning formula to the local area in time for the festive season.”
Lidl Northern Ireland contributes around £180 million a year to the region's economy, sustaining 3,500 jobs while buying and exporting£290 million worth of local goods and products.