Lidl NI plans new store investment at Sprucefield Park, supporting 240 jobs

Lidl Northern Ireland has submitted plans to create a new, state-of-the-art concept store at Sprucefield Park in Lisburn.

The planning application, lodged with Lisburn City & Castlereagh Borough Council, proposes the creation of a new 2,475 sq metre store, incorporating a 1,640 sq ft retail area.

Lidl NI believe the new store will create 15 new jobs and support 25 more as part of its ongoing investment.

The enhanced Sprucefield store will replace the existing store at Moria Road where it already has an outlet at Bentrim Court in the city centre.

Once planning approval is secured, the store will also support 200 extra jobs during the build-out and development phase ahead of its planned opening next year.

Lidl NI contributes around £180m a year to the local economy, sustaining 3,500 jobs while buying and exporting as much as £290m worth of local goods and products.

The company employs over 1,300 employees across its 41-strong store network and Regional Distribution Centre in Nutt’s Corner.

Chris Speers, property director for Lidl NI, said: “As a local family retailer, we are committed to investing in the region and to consistently delivering on our ‘Big on Quality, Lidl on Price’ promise for customers across NI. Our investment in a new store in Lisburn further cements this commitment.

“We’re actively engaged in a long-term plan to grow our store network across the region by the end of the decade and to revitalise our existing store network, bringing some of our older stores in line with our modern new concept format and optimising sustainability at each location in line with our commitment to become carbon neutral by 2025.”

Construction plans for Sprucefield Park encompass Lidl NI’s bold ‘concept’ design, prioritising sustainability throughout.

Chris added: “The improved interior layout and larger space in this new store will provide customers with an enhanced product range to shop and enjoy, set within a modern and sustainable store setting. We are pleased with the initial positive response we have had in support of our application and we look forward to working with Council to take the plans forward.”

A community consultation is planned to take place at Premier Inn in Lisburn in November.

The announcement is the latest move by Lidl NI to invest in the region. Last year, the retailer confirmed an investment of more than £26m into the Northwest region, with two new stores tipped for development at Strabane Shopping Centre in County Tyrone and Crescent Link shopping centre in Londonderry.

In 2020, Lidl NI confirmed a £32m investment into developing five stores within the Greater Belfast region, with brand new stores opened at Holywood Exchange in 2020, at Hillview Retail Park on Crumlin Road last year and at Castlereagh Road and Shore Road earlier this year. Plans are also in place for Lidl’s first store in south Belfast at Boucher Road.

Recognised for the second year running as a Top Employer for 2022 by the Top Employers’ Institute, Lidl NI was also awarded Retail Company of the Year at the Business Eye Awards 2021 and named “Sustainability Team of the Year” at the 2022 Green Awards.