Lidl Announces Expansion in Northern Ireland
The supermarket chain Lidl has revealed plans to open 16 new stores in Northern Ireland by 2032. This expansion is projected to contribute approximately £475 million annually to the local economy and increase Lidl's workforce in the region to 2,400 employees, according to a report commissioned by the retailer.
Currently, Lidl holds about 10% of the grocery market share in Northern Ireland, and with these new stores, the total number of Lidl outlets in the country will exceed 60. At present, Lidl employs more than 1,400 people in Northern Ireland.
Investment and Store Development
In addition to opening new stores, Lidl has been actively refurbishing or completely rebuilding its existing shops across the region. The KPMG report estimates the cost of constructing the 16 new stores at around £500 million.
Challenges in Planning System
Alongside the announcement, Lidl reiterated its concerns regarding difficulties encountered in opening new stores, particularly related to the planning system. Robert Ryan, Chief Executive of Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland, emphasized the importance of the planning process for the company’s growth.
"Our ability to realise this impact is contingent entirely on the planning system."
Lidl has expressed ongoing frustration over delays affecting a proposed £8 million store development in the North West, which has been in the planning system for over six years.
Impact of Delays on Economic Growth
Gordon Cruikshanks, Lidl’s regional managing director, highlighted the negative effects of planning delays, inconsistencies, and uncertainty on economic growth.
"Delays, inconsistencies and uncertainty are hindering economic growth."
He pointed out the particular difficulties faced in Derry-Londonderry, where Lidl’s sole existing store records the highest footfall in Northern Ireland and ranks among the highest in Lidl’s international network.
"Our ongoing challenges in Derry-Londonderry are particularly frustrating, given that our sole existing store there records the highest footfall of our entire store network in Northern Ireland and one of the highest footfalls in the entire international Lidl store network."
Cruikshanks further commented on the broader challenges within the planning system at both local and central government levels in Northern Ireland.
"Like many businesses, we encounter challenges right across the planning system at both local and central government level in Northern Ireland.
Rather than acting as an economic lever, these delays, inconsistencies and uncertainty in the system defer investment, reduce scale and limit the realisation of economic and social benefits."
