Lidl to create 40 jobs with new 26,500 sq ft store in Bingley

Supermarket chain Lidl is set to create up to 40 new jobs with a new store in Bingley.

The company has drafted plans for a 26,500 sq ft supermarket on the site of the former Bradford and Bingley Building Society HQ off Main Street, which has stood vacant for a number of years.

Lidl has tasked Lichfields, the national planning and development consultancy, with bringing the proposals forward.

The supermarket said it received a “warm reception” for the plans at a public exhibition held in the town last week (May 2).

Lichfields senior director Jonathan Wallace said: “A state of the art, new Lidl store, which would provide a spacious and attractive shopping environment for the residents of Bingley, will bring the site back into active use increasing the vitality and viability of the town centre.

“The new proposals, which will also generate additional spin-off trade for the existing shops in Bingley town centre, were well-received at Tuesday’s consultation event.”

Graham Burr, Lidl UK’s regional head of property, commented: “We were delighted to receive such a positive response at our public consultation event, held at Bingley Arts Centre on Tuesday May 2, and would like to take the opportunity to thank those who took the time to come along.

“We are extremely excited about the prospect of opening a Lidl in Bingley and serving our fresh, quality and incredibly good value produce which shoppers have come to love.”

For its Bingley store, Lidl plans to create 127 free customer parking spaces, including six disabled spaces and seven parent and toddler.

The development will also see the Main Street/Myrtle Place junction upgraded, creating a new pedestrian link to the store from Main Street.

Harrogate architects Smalley Marsey Rispin has designed the site. A planning application is due to be submitted shortly to the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council.