Job-creating plans lodged by Lidl Northern Ireland

Lidl Northern Ireland has submitted planning applications for three new outlets in a multimillion-pound investment push by the discount retail giant.The sites at Bangor, Craigavon and Dungannon form part of the retailer’s plans to expand its growing store network across the region.Northern Ireland’s fastest-growing grocery retailer confirmed it has submitted planning applications to position new stores at Rushmere Shopping Centre in Craigavon and adjacent to Bloomfield Shopping Centre in Bangor. Both will replace longstanding nearby outlets with new, larger modern retail outlets with sustainability built in.It has also submitted a planning application for a new supermarket and café at Anne Street in Dungannon, replacing its Scotch Street store, on a prominent site which has been derelict for almost four decades.Combined, the three store builds will support hundreds of jobs during development and construction phases in addition to more than 50 more retail jobs created when all three outlets open. Existing stores in all three areas already employ more than 60 employees, all of whom will relocate on completion.Subject to planning permission by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Ards and North Down Borough Council and Mid Ulster Council, the stores will open next year.Lidl Northern Ireland property director Chris Speers said: “Welcoming more than a half a million shoppers through our store network each week, we continue to prioritise delivering the best shopping experience for our customers.”Alongside our ambitious expansion plans in the region, we are focused on upgrading our existing store network to bring older stores in line with our industry leading, sustainably focused ‘Concept’ design.”Celebrating 25 years in the region later this year, Lidl Northern Ireland is investing n the development and growth of its 41-strong store network.Ivan Ryan, regional managing director at Lidl Northern Ireland, said: “As we mark our landmark 25th year in Northern Ireland, we are firmly focused on expanding and enhancing our growing local store network.”Public consultations on all three new stores get under way in the next few weeks in existing retail outlets.