CONSTRUCTION on a second Lidl store in Salisbury can soon begin after plans to bring the budget supermarket to the city were approved.
The new store would sit on the Churchill Way West Retail Park and would replace Smyths Toys and HomeSense which left the premises at the start of the year.
German supermarket giant, Lidl, already has a store on Hatches Lane, but this new store will allow shoppers in the west of the city to access their products without travelling across Salisbury.
But not everyone welcomed the plans when they were first announced.
In total, 117 letters objecting to the supermarket were sent to Wiltshire Council, with many taking issue with the loss of Smyths Toys as the nearest store now is almost an hour away in Southampton.
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One reader said: “How many more downmarket supermarkets do we need in Salisbury? We actually need a large toyshop and Homesense is good for all sorts of homeware.
“I hope lots boycott this Lidl store because I know there is a great deal of anger about these plans.”
Another said: “So the only decent toy shop in Salisbury is closing. There aren’t any children’s clothes shops in town (very limited) – what does Salisbury have against kids?
“Also, Homesense is the only place to buy half decent, good quality home goods. This is so sad. Do we honestly need another Lidl?
Concerns over the impact of the existing traffic and already busy roundabouts were also raised.
But some welcomed the news, as the new supermarket would be in walking distance for the older generation, it would provide a discount supermarket for those closer to Wilton and would help reduce traffic congestion along Southampton Road.
Wiltshire Council planning officer, who approved the plans in July, said the plans are “fairly modest” but recognised the large amount of objections received.
The existing Lidl store located in Hatches Lane will remain open and would not be closed as a result of this scheme.
To view the plans and the decision notice in full, visit the planning section of Wiltshire Council’s website and search reference PL/2024/09079.
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