Work starts and plans revealed for new Lidl supermarket in Harleston

Ground has been broken on the site of a new supermarket in Harleston, just over two years after it was first given planning permission.

Supermarket chain Lidl has started to build a new store in Mendham Lane which, once completed, could create around 40 jobs.

The German retailer, which built its first store in Ludwigshafen in 1973, announced that building work had started on the site.

A spokesperson said: “The new store is set to open towards the end of the year, offering residents greater choice and convenience.

“This multi-million-pound investment will not only enhance local shopping options but also create local jobs.”

The business was initially granted planning permission for the 1,334 square metre store back in October 2022.

But due to some disagreements on how much Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) the supermarket giants would pay South Norfolk Council, work was put on hold.

CIL is a charge councils set on new developments to raise money to help fund things such as schools or transport improvements which are needed to support the new homes or businesses.

Lidl, which opened its first 10 stores in the United Kingdom in 1994, said the new shop would have one of its award-winning bakeries, customer toilets with baby-changing facilities and its ‘Middle of Lidl’ household aisle.

There would also be 132 parking spaces with six disabled parking bays, 12 parent and child spaces and two rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging spaces.

It added its green credentials would be boosted with solar panels on the roof to help power the store, state -of-the-art heating systems and in-store recycling stations.

On the Lidl website, the proposed opening times for the supermarket are 8am to 10pm Monday to Saturday (including bank holidays) and 10am to 4pm on Sundays.

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