Lidl brought the x-factor to Derry/Londonderry with the opening of its brand new, £8 million state-of-the-art concept store at Buncrana Road on 29 July which was officially unveiled by X-Factor celebrity, Eoghan Quigg.

Located at the junction of Buncrana Road and Springtown Road, the newly expanded store replaces the retailer’s former site at 24 Buncrana Road.

First of three

It is the first of three new stores planned for the North West region as part of a wider £26 million investment into the region, announced earlier this year.

Dungiven local radio broadcaster Eoghan Quigg cut the ribbon to unveil the new look store and did a meet-and-greet with shoppers.

Regional Director for Lidl Northern Ireland, Conor Boyle, said:

“As Northern Ireland’s fastest-growing supermarket, we’re delighted to continue moving confidently forward with our long-established investment plans for the North West, bringing new employment opportunities to the local community and offering customers an enhanced shopping experience at this new location.”

Occupying a 10,000 sq. metre site with a 2,217 sq metre store space, the store features higher ceilings, a more spacious interior layout and enlarged bakery areas. The store will also include improved facilities for store staff such as a larger canteen and welfare area and shower facilities.

Free EV charging

It incorporates a range of environmentally friendly features including an ISO 50001 certified Energy Management System and 4 electric vehicle charger spaces within its 146-space car park, enabling customers to charge their electric vehicles for free whilst they shop.

“Now that I am shopping for a family of my own, Lidl is my supermarket of choice, with its fantastic selection of quality products at great value. The new and improved store is a great addition to the local area and I can’t wait to get in myself for the weekly shop!”

www.lidl-ni.co.uk

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Retail NI says unless changes are made to the proposed redevelopment plan to facilitate customers getting access to local small retailers and businesses, traders fear current upgrade plans to the road will restrict passing trade to local businesses and put jobs in jeopardy.

Jobs in jeopardy

To avoid this, Retail NI submitted a number of changes to the redevelopment plan – all of which were rejected by Department for Infrastructure officials.

Retail NI met with Colum Eastwood MP, Martina Anderson MLA, Gary Middleton MLA and the President of Londonderry Chamber of Commerce to outline their concerns.

Buncrana Road Trader and Retail NI Board member David Barber said “We have submitted sensible and practical changes to the proposed redevelopment plan to facilitate our customers and passing trade being able to access the shops on Buncrana Road. Sadly, all were rejected by the Department for Infrastructure”

Loss in local trade

“If customers can’t gain easy access to our stores, then we will lose this trade which will sadly result in store closures, up to 300 job losses and a net loss of £2million to the local economy”

“We urge the Infrastructure Minister to intervene and ensure changes are made to the redevelopment plan to avoid these job losses”

Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said “With the huge hit to the economy with Covid-19, every job is vital, and we urge the Minister to listen to our concerns and make the necessary changes to this plan and protect these livelihoods and small businesses”

“Retail NI supports the overall plan to upgrade the Buncrana Road as it is a vital investment in the infrastructure of Derry, the North West and the Derry-Strabane City Deal. However, no business should have to close, nor jobs lost as a result of this redevelopment.”

Threat to businesses

Redmond McFadden, President of Londonderry Chamber of Commerce added “It is crucial that this issue is resolved and the threat to these businesses lifted. The prospect of the loss of so many jobs and businesses in our city has to be avoided at all costs and we hope that the Minister will act accordingly”

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