Business

Lidl confirms plans to build new store in Carryduff

Lidl is opening a new store in Carryduff
Lidl is opening a new store in Carryduff Lidl is opening a new store in Carryduff

RETAILER Lidl is to open its 40th outlet in Northern Ireland after purchasing a 4.5-acre site in Carryduff from Kilmona Property.

The Carryduff shopping centre has been vacant for more than four years after a period of steady decline following the closure of former anchor tenant SuperValu.

Last year its owners unveiled plans to revamp the site and rename it The Village, though at the time refused to name any potential tenants despite local speculation around Lidl's arrival.

But yesterday Christopher Speers, regional property executive for Lidl Northern Ireland, confirmed that the chain is currently working up a formal planning application designed to contribute significant local investment and jobs to Carryduff, which it plans to share with the local community in the coming weeks.

He said: “We have had a long standing desire to serve the vibrant and thriving community of Carryduff for many years and look forward to revealing more detailed plans in the weeks ahead.

“Our new proposed store and further amenities will bring significant local investment, the creation of many new jobs as well as incredible quality and value to Carryduff, and we hope to gain support from the local community on these plans when we share them in due course.”

Lidl already employs more than 900 employees across its 39 stores in Northern Ireland and a regional distribution centre at Nutts Corner.

The company claims to purchase £300 million worth of goods from Northern Ireland suppliers each year, much of which is for export to thousands of Lidl’s stores throughout Europe.