NEWCASTLE’S new Lidl store could open as early as next year, the retailer has confirmed.
Just over six months after telling the Mourne Observer that the supermarket chain was “very much committed” to building a new, replacement store in the town, the company has now revealed “an anticipated opening in 2025.”
Having been contacted last week about work taking place in the vicinity of the land purchased for the store, which is the site of the former St Mary’s Girls’ Primary School, a member of the Lidl PR Team told the paper that while there was no “significant update to share” at present, that the company “remain committed to realising a new store in the community with an anticipated opening in 2025.”
The comment, in full, read: “We don’t have a significant update to share on our development in Newcastle, Co. Down at present, but we remain committed to realising a new store in the community with an anticipated opening in 2025.”
Currently operating from premises at Railway Street, and having done so since 2001, the former primary school site across town was purchased from the Parish of Maghera back in April 2016.
This land, which backs on to Donard Park, had been seen by many as the preferred location for a replacement state-of-the-art leisure centre.
At the time of the purchase, and through an official statement, Lidl described the town centre site as ‘no longer suitable for our growing business needs’ and acknowledged its desire to ‘build a new concept store’ in Newcastle.
It also stated that this replacement store ‘will accommodate our growing customer numbers and offer a superior shopping experience for the people who live in and around Newcastle, if permission is granted.’
The Mourne Mountain Rescue Team plans to see new headquarters built on a portion of land set aside within the grounds of where the new store will operate.
The rescue charity is in the midst of trying to secure the outstanding £400,000 that is needed to help build its fit-for-purpose base.