Lidl has launched a public consultation on residents’ views about its plans for a new Bishop’s Stortford store.
The discount supermarket wants to make a “multi-million-pound investment” in Stansted Road, constructing a 2,382 sq m (25,639 sq ft) branch with a retail area of 1,414 sq m (15,220 sq ft).
It has asked East Herts Council for planning permission to use the site currently by the Gates of Stortford Ford Dealership. It is understood that business will be relocated.
Lidl GB’s regional head of property, Jason Buckley, said: “We are extremely excited about the prospect of opening a new Lidl store in Bishops Stortford and serving our fresh, quality and incredibly good value produce which shoppers across the country have come to love.
“Our plans are set to create up to 40 jobs which would be fantastic for the local community, and we hope that as many people as possible are able to join us for this ‘virtual’ public consultation. We look forward to sharing and discussing our plans with everyone.”
Lidl is promising an in-store bakery, customer toilets and 147 “of Lidl’s largest format (5.2m x 2.7m) parking spaces” including 10 for the disabled, 10 parent and child bays and two electric vehicle charging points. “Safe and secure” bicycle parking will also be provided close to the store entrance.
As part of the Schwarz retail group, Lidl is one of Europe’s leading food retailers. With a presence in 32 countries, the supermarket, which has more than 310,000 employees globally, currently operates around 11,200 stores and more than 200 warehouses and distribution centres.
The German brand arrived in the UK in 1994 and now has over 25,000 employees, over 860 outlets and 13 distribution centres in England, Scotland and Wales.
Lidl previously targeted Bishop’s Stortford with plans for a branch in London Road – on the site now occupied by its discount rival Aldi.
The new application, broadly welcomed by Bishop’s Stortford Town Council last week, is part of the company’s wider £1.3bn investment plans across Great Britain in 2021 and 2022.
Lidl has set out what it calls the key benefits of its scheme on the consultation website.
Improved local shopping choice:
The proposal will deliver the first Lidl foodstore within East Hertfordshire, and will provide a new neighbourhood foodstore for existing and new residents to the north of the town.
The store will help to meet local shopping needs and reduce the need to travel elsewhere.
The proposal will provide new and improved shopping facilities for the area at competitive prices and offer exceptional quality and choice to the benefit of local shoppers.
Lidl stocks a variety of unique product lines which are not available from other supermarkets.
The site is well located and easily accessible. It connects into an extensive network of pedestrian footways and is accessible using public transport via bus stops on Stansted Road.
Employment:
Creation of 40 full time equivalent jobs for local people.
Lidl will work with the local authority and other agencies to ensure local people benefit from the new jobs created.
Lidl’s entry-level wages are aligned with those advocated by the Living Wage Foundation, which is above the level recommended by the Government, with hourly pay starting at £9.50 per hour.
Lidl does not operate zero hour contracts.
Lidl is proud of its training programmes which enable staff to progress their careers with the company.
Environmental Improvements:
The proposal constitutes a significant investment into the Bishop’s Stortford community and provides a new economic use for the Gates of Stortford site.
The new building will be of a high quality, modern design, and will incorporate an excellent range of energy efficiency and sustainability measures, including solar panels.
The proposal is accompanied by a comprehensive landscaping scheme, which will provide new opportunities for soft landscaping and planting, which will deliver a biodiversity net gain when compared with its existing use.
To access the public consultation online, see bishopsstortford.expansion.lidl.co.uk Residents with questions can also call Lidl’s consultation team directly on 0800 089 0361 or email scott@royalpilgrim.com
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