Work starts on new Lidl store

Building work is underway on a new Lidl store in Kings Heath, Birmingham.

Godwin Developments has signed a 25-year deal on the 2,125 sq m supermarket. When complete the store is expected to create 40 jobs.

The store – which is being constructed by contractor Winvic – will feature a single storey unit with a glazed frontage, an in-store bakery and a car park with capacity for 120 spaces.

The supermarket will be built on the former Western Power Distribution Depot on Warstock Road next to the Esso garage on Alcester Road South.

As part of the development, a new pedestrian access point will also be created to provide a direct route to the store from the Warstock Road.

Matt Chandler, associate director at Godwin Developments said: “We are very excited to see work starting on the Kings Heath site. As well as bringing a brand new retail site to the area, it will also reinvigorate an old and disused facility, replacing it with a bright and welcoming retail store.”

The development follows a period of vast expansion for Lidl in Birmingham. Two additional stores are also due to open in the city in the next few years. The Kings Heath store is due for completion in February 2020 and will open in May 2020.

The first stage of the work on site has started with the demolition of the existing buildings.

Peter Wong, associate director at Nicol Thomas Architects, said: “The design for the new Lidl store is a contemporary building with an extensive glazed shopfront to allow the natural daylight to penetrate through the building and enhance the shopping experience. There is a lovely bakery with an open plan format and self-serve section which allows the customers to see the products being baked.

“The car park is designed to make entry and exit to the store as smooth as possible with extensive perimeter landscaping to enrich the local environment.”