Lidl to create up to 500 jobs with huge distribution centre near Leeds

Discount supermarket chain Lidl is set to create hundreds of employment opportunities near Leeds with the launch of a new regional distribution centre.

The company today (September 17) confirmed its acquisition of a 38-acre site in Gildersome for the development, which will bring up to 500 jobs to the area.

The distribution centre will span 646,000 sq ft and be Lidl’s 17th in Great Britain.

Forming part of a £1.45bn investment in its operation in 2017/18, the Gildersome centre will follow the launch of others at Doncaster, Bolton, Peterborough and Luton.

One of Lidl’s existing distribution facilities

Plans are in place for a further four warehouse openings in the next few years.

Lidl UK’s board director for expansion and development, Ingo Fischer, said: “As we continue to open new stores and serve more customers across the country, it’s important that we also continue to build foundations for the future.

“This latest investment joins a long line of Lidl warehouses set to open over the next seven years, which are all vital in supporting our growth.”

Lidl first arrived in the UK in 1994. Today, the firm operates 720 stores nationwide.