Lidl announces plans to build store in Cheddar

Supermarket chain Lidl says it is preparing to submit a planning application for a new store in a Somerset village.

A site in Cheddar off the A371 Upper New Road has been identified and the German supermarket chain is asking residents for feedback as part of a consultation.

Lidl says 126 parking spaces would be built and the store would provide about 40 local jobs.

Cheddar residents Theresa and William said: "We need a decent supermarket here. We always end up going to Street or Shepton Mallet for our shopping as there's a big supermarket there."

The Lidl store would be the second supermarket in Cheddar.

It has a Sainsbury's supermarket on Roynon Way and a smaller Tesco Express on Station Road.

Some residents told the BBC that they have to travel more than 10 miles (16km) to a bigger supermarket to do their weekly shop.

No formal planning application has been submitted to Somerset Council yet for the store.

Retail location planning expert Prof Andy Newing from the University of Leeds told BBC Radio Somerset that with other supermarkets expanding their convenience stores, the discounters are wanting to move into larger villages:

"In order to continue to grow their market share and indeed give their offer and propositions to more consumers, the discounters are really looking at the larger towns and villages in rural areas."

Prof Newing added: "There maybe an idyllic view among members of the community that they want to be able to shop locally at butchers, bakers and things like that but in reality most of us are time poor, most of us are feeling the effects of the cost of living crisis, so most of us want to shop as affordably as we can."

Derek Bradley-Balmer, chair of Cheddar Parish Council, said: "We welcome the opportunity for more employment within the village, which is a key benefit for our community.

"The establishment of a second supermarket in Cheddar could provide residents with greater choice and potentially save them from having to travel to neighbouring towns to shop at Lidl, should they wish to do so.

"Regarding the proposed location, the Parish Council will consider carefully the site on Upper New Road.

"We recognise that Upper New Road is already a busy thoroughfare, with two new substantial housing estates situated on either side."

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