Lidl announces plans to open Hayling store

PEOPLE are being urged to have their say as a discount supermarket announced plans to open a store on Hayling Island.
The new Lidl in Portchester, which is similar to that planned on Hayling IslandThe new Lidl in Portchester, which is similar to that planned on Hayling Island
The new Lidl in Portchester, which is similar to that planned on Hayling Island

Lidl will be holding a public consultation tomorrow to outline plans for its store at Rookery Field in Manor Road.

The public are invited to the event, which will take place from 10am until 7pm at South Hayling United Reformed Church in Hollow Lane.

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The plans have been welcomed by Councillor Andrew Lenaghan, who represents Hayling West at Havant Borough Council.

He said: ‘So far, I’ve received more letters and e-mails in support of the project rather than in objection, but of course that’s pre-consultation. I’m an enthusiastic Lidl shopper myself and I’d welcome one on the island – provided it’s in the right place.’

Regional head of property James Mitchell said: ‘We’re excited about the prospect of opening a Lidl on Hayling Island, improving shopping choice.

‘We’ve had such a positive response to our new Portchester store and look forward to sharing plans for our Hayling Island store with the community at the consultation day.’

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The supermarket secured the site for the store in August 2016.

The multimillion-pound investment, which will be of a similar design to the supermarket’s Portchester store, will see Lidl build a sustainable 2,462sq m store, with plans to create up to 40 new jobs.

The supermarket will have an instore bakery, longer-style tills with dual packing facilities, customer toilets and parking for cars and bicycles.

The planned Hayling Island store will add to Lidl’s existing store portfolio of 650, and will form part of the company’s growth plans which it hopes to increase to 1,500 stores in the future.

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It revealed this year that it wants to build a store in Whiteley, and has recently demolished its Goldsmith Avenue shop in Southsea before it is rebuilt.

The company intends on submitting a Hayling planning application in April.

For more information go to hayling-island.lidl.co.uk.

A petition in support of the store has been signed by more than 300 people and is at gopetition.com/petitions/support-lidl-on-hayling-island.html