Construction work begins on new Lidl store in Fulwood

Work on the new Lidl store on the Eastway Hub, a new retail site sandwiched between Eastway and the M55, has begun.

The discount retailer announced it was planning to build a new store in Fulwood in May 2019 - adding to the two it already has in Preston.

Lidl have major expansion plans across the North West as their share of the grocery marketplace increases, opening new stores in Chorley and Lancaster within two weeks of each other last year.

Now, a year after its announcement, construction work has begun on the site, with the foundations being laid for its new discount supermarket.

Lidl’s Regional Head of Property, Stuart Jardine, said: “It is great for us to be able to create more jobs and investment opportunities in the area, and we can’t wait to start serving our multi-award winning products to the local community.”

While welcoming the new jobs created by the chains, Lancashire business leaders and traders are urging shoppers not to forget their smaller corner stores.

The North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce and the Lancashire-based Federation of Small Businesses raised concerns about the effect on small shops.

Alan Welsh, Policy Manager at the Chamber, said: "If there is one genuine concern about the growth of supermarkets it is the potential damage to small, local shops who cannot compete on price."

Lidl has been approached for an expected opening date of the store.

The Eastway Hub was approved in September 2018 after a planning battle which lasted years.

Preston City Council’s planning committee voted in favour, by nine to three, to give permission for the building of a supermarket, six retail units, one restaurant/pub and a drive-thru restaurant or cafe.

The land at Eastway is between the Priors Lea Court roundabout and the turn for Fulwood Free Methodist Church, and backs onto the M55.

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