After several months of research, Lidl UK opened a new supermarket in Bourne shortly before Christmas in 2016.

The campaign by town councillors and members of the public to persuade them to move here began in 2008 with the hope that they would take over Budgen’s store in the Burghley Arcade which was due to become vacant but the company decided that the premises were too small.

A new development on a site in South Road was eventually chosen in December 2014 and the following month a public consultation to decide whether there would be sufficient support sealed the decision because the project received an almost rapturous welcome from the 500 shoppers who turned up.

Lidl Stiftung & Company KG is a German global discount supermarket chain based in Germany with over 10,000 stores across Europe and has grown consistently since launching in the United Kingdom in 1994 with more than 550 stores. Although originally a small player in this country with a grocery market share of less than 5%, its importance along with that of continental no-frills competitor Aldi, began a retail revolution and grew in popularity simply because prices were competitive and quality was paramount while many housewives reckoned that shopping there saved them 30% or more on their weekly bill over their better known rivals.

The official opening of the new supermarket was held on Thursday 8th December 2016 when the ribbon was cut by the Mayor of Bourne, Councillor Colin Patison, and the store was full for the rest of the day.

The new supermarket forms part of the company’s ongoing expansion and regeneration plans in the UK which will see its existing store portfolio of 640 increasing to 1,500. The Bourne store has created 40 new jobs and has state-of-the-art facilities including an in-store bakery, longer-style tills with dual packing facilities, customer toilets, baby changing facilities and ample parking for both cars and bicycles.

The fully glass-fronted façade maximises natural daylight entering the building, whilst sensor controlled exterior sun blinds automatically operate to mitigate the effects of unwanted heat from solar sources. The electrical lighting system is made up entirely of LED fittings which, compared with a traditional system, are over 50% more energy efficient whilst still providing excellent levels of lighting to meet the needs of customers choosing their products.

Regional head of property for Lidl UK Colin Rimmer said: “We would like to thank all those who have played a part in bringing this new Lidl store to Bourne. It is wonderful for us to be able to create more jobs and investment opportunities in the area, and we can’t wait to start serving our multi-award winning products to the local community.”

WRITTEN DECEMBER 2016