Lidl has invested approximately 9 million pounds into the project, which will create 40 full-time jobs and contribute significantly to the local economy through salaries and rates payments. The new store is expected to provide a boost to the retail environment in Craigavon, offering improved facilities and a more accessible location for shoppers. The company’s proposed development follows a public consultation and pre-planning notice conducted in 2024.

Lidl has been a fixture in Craigavon since 2004 when it opened its supermarket on Balteagh Road. However, after 20 years of trading, the company has determined that its current store has outgrown its space and is not well positioned within Craigavon’s retail hub. “After twenty years of trading, Lidl says its supermarket operation has now outgrown its building, and its site is now well located relative to the hub of retail activity within Craigavon’s designated town centre” a spokesperson explained. The new store, located next to Rushmere Shopping Centre, will offer a larger, more modern space with better car parking facilities and higher visibility.

The proposed site is the former Sainsbury’s petrol station, which ceased operations in 2021 after Sainsbury’s closed its nearby superstore The site has since then been repurposed as a car wash facility. Lidl plans to transform this space into a state-of-the-art supermarket that will enhance the retail options available to local shoppers, “The site is a larger, more accessible site with better car parking facilities and greater profile”, the company said, highlighting the advantages of the new location.

ABC Council planners are currently reviewing the application, and a decision is expected before the summer. This redevelopment marks a significant investment by Lidl in Craigavon’s retail sector, with the company aiming to replace its 21-year-old store at Balteagh Road. The project reflects Lidl’s continued commitment to serving the community while providing a more convenient and modern shopping experience for its customers.