Construction of a new discount supermarket in Kingsway, Gloucester has begun after planning permission was granted by Gloucester City Council.
Robert Hitchins Ltd is developing the store for Lidl who will be creating up to 40 new jobs when the store opens.
Lidl will take a long-term lease from Robert Hitchins once the development is complete and they expect to be available to fit out the store next summer, with a view to opening in autumn 2020.
The contractors who began work on site this week are Barnwood.
Senior Development Manager from Robert Hitchins Ltd, Michael Plimmer, said: “We are delighted to be able to get started on this exciting new development which will bring another great retailer to Kingsway, improving choice and variety of facilities within easy reach of local residents.”
Lidl GB’s Regional Head of Property, Glen Stidever, added: “There’s been much anticipation for this new Lidl store and it’s great that we are now in a position to start the build.
“We are extremely grateful for all the support that we have received so far and would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding whilst we enter this next phase of the development.”
The new store in Newhaven Road will add to Lidl GB’s existing store portfolio of 770 and forms part of the company’s growth plans which envisage opening up to 50 stores a year.
Kingsway has emerged on the site of the former 340-acre RAF Quedgeley. The original masterplan included 3,300 homes, a 40-acre employment site, community and leisure facilities, retail, sports area and primary school.
Robert Hitchins, based at Boddington, Gloucestershire, is one of the leading property developers and investors in the South West and South Wales. It deals with the full development process from site acquisition and planning through to development and investment.
The turf-cutting was attended by representatives from Robert Hitchins Ltd, Lidl and contractors Barnwood, as well as by Kingsway councillor Richard Cook.
