Lidl Emerges Victorious in Planning Battle to Establish New Store in Warrington Retail Park
Lidl, the renowned discount supermarket chain, has triumphed over a planning dispute with competitor Tesco to secure permission to open a new supermarket on Pinners Brow Retail Park in Warrington. This victory comes after Lidl submitted plans in June last year to establish a new store on the retail park, which currently houses four separate units occupied by various businesses.
The retail park currently accommodates Wickes DIY and trade store, Sofology, The Jungle children’s soft play area, and Carpet Right. Lidl has acquired unit four, previously occupied by Carpet Right, as well as unit three, occupied by The Jungle, and a portion of unit two, occupied by Sofology Warrington. With these acquisitions, Lidl plans to reconfigure and extend units two, three, and four to accommodate its new store within units two and three, while relocating The Jungle into the smaller unit two.
As part of the development plans, certain areas of the existing car park will undergo modernization to enhance parking arrangements and traffic flow around the site. Despite three letters of objection submitted by Martin Robeson Planning Practice (MRPP) on behalf of Tesco, citing concerns regarding the sequential assessment, loss of parking spaces, and the delegated authority for the application determination, Lidl’s proposal ultimately received approval.
MRPP argued that Lidl’s sequential assessment failed to consider the vacant M&S unit on Sankey Street, located within the primary shopping area, as well as the former Wilko store in the Golden Square Shopping Centre. However, Plan A, representing Lidl, countered these objections by highlighting the distinctive business model of Lidl compared to M&S and emphasizing the lack of protection from competition in the retail policy.
In granting permission for the development, the council acknowledged the adequacy of the sequential test and the limited impacts of the proposed Lidl store. With more than 900 stores nationwide, Lidl, founded in Germany in the 1930s, has been operating in the UK since 1994. The new Warrington store is expected to operate from 7 am to 10 pm on weekdays and Saturdays, with reduced hours on Sundays.
The establishment of the Lidl store is anticipated to create up to 30 job opportunities, with both part-time and full-time positions available. Notably, Lidl does not offer zero-hour contracts, and it aims to recruit local residents from the Warrington area to fill the staff positions. Existing employees at Sofology and Carpet Right will also have the option to apply for roles at the new Lidl store.
Despite considering multiple units in Golden Square, Cockhedge, and Riverside retail parks, Lidl found none of them suitable for its requirements. The company remains committed to investing in Warrington and promptly initiating construction upon receiving consent for the proposed development. The addition of the new Lidl store in Warrington’s retail landscape is expected to cater to the specific needs of the local community within the catchment area.
Subheading: Planning Battle and Acquisition of Units
Lidl’s persistence in overcoming the planning battle with Tesco to establish a new store on Pinners Brow Retail Park in Warrington signifies a significant milestone for the renowned discount supermarket chain. After submitting plans in June last year, Lidl successfully acquired unit four, previously occupied by Carpet Right, and units three and a portion of two, occupied by The Jungle and Sofology, respectively. The strategic acquisition of these units paved the way for the reconfiguration and extension required to accommodate Lidl’s new store within the retail park.
Subheading: Addressing Objections and Obtaining Approval
Despite facing objections from Tesco through MRPP, Lidl’s proposal ultimately received approval from the council, allowing the discount supermarket chain to proceed with its plans for the new store. The objections raised by MRPP focused on the sequential assessment, loss of parking spaces, and the authority responsible for determining the application. However, Plan A, representing Lidl, effectively countered these objections by emphasizing the distinct business model of Lidl and the lack of protection from competition in the retail policy.
Subheading: Employment Opportunities and Community Impact
The establishment of the new Lidl store in Warrington is not only expected to enhance the retail offerings in the area but also create employment opportunities for up to 30 individuals. With a commitment to recruiting local residents and offering both part-time and full-time roles without zero-hour contracts, Lidl aims to contribute positively to the local community. Existing employees at Sofology and Carpet Right are also being given the chance to transition to roles at the new Lidl store, further demonstrating the company’s commitment to supporting the local workforce.
In conclusion, Lidl’s success in winning the planning battle and securing approval to open a new store in Warrington’s retail park highlights the company’s dedication to expanding its presence and serving the needs of the local community. By addressing objections, emphasizing its business model, and offering employment opportunities, Lidl is poised to make a positive impact on Warrington’s retail landscape.