LIDL has been given the go ahead to redevelop the former Carryduff Shopping Centre site in Co Down in a project that is expected to eventually support 135 jobs.
The German supermarket chain secured permission on Monday to demolish the remaining buildings on the Carryduff site and build a new £6 million supermarket.
But Lidl won’t stop there, with plans green-lit for four additional retail units and a drive-thru coffee shop will take its total investment to around £10m.
It comes as the retailer ramps up its development plans across the north.
Lidl secured planning permission last week to demolish and rebuild its store on Belfast’s Shore Road. The north Belfast supermarket will close on January 5 to facilitate the start of work on the £4m project.
A new replacement store will also open in the east of the city in July 2022 in an £8m joint venture with Draperstown developer Heron Brothers.
Demolition of the former Hughes Christensen factory on the Castlereagh Road is already underway in a project that will see Lidl’s existing store on the site turned into storage units.
Lidl is also expected to close its Omagh store in mid-2022 for a £4m rebuild that involves demolishing a neighbouring pub, while a replacement store is on the way for Newcastle next year, after the retailer finally secured planning approval.
The development pipeline looks busy for the German discounter, with plans lodged for similar replacement store projects in Strabane, Newtownards, Craigavon and Belfast’s Stewartstown Road.
A new £10m supermarket and drive-thru café is planned for Belfast’s Boucher Road.
Lidl’s bid to bring the Carryduff shopping centre site back to life has been broadly welcomed.
Built in 1985, the retail complex was anchored by Supervalu until 2013, with nine smaller shops facing onto the Ballynahinch Road.
Most of the former buildings have now been demolished.
Lidl acquired the site last year. Its plans include a large 9,000 sq ft retail space next to the new supermarket, with a bookmakers and café expected to be among the smaller units.
The retailer said it hopes to begin construction next year.
Chris Speers, property executive at the retail group, said: “We’re delighted by the unanimous decision made to approve our ambitious plans for Carryduff Shopping Centre which followed a prolonged and positive period of close consultation with the local community. “This transformative investment promises to reinstate the centre’s importance as a thriving retail destination once again while also creating new opportunities for growth across the area.”
