Popular supermarket chain Lidl has dashed hopes of a Devon town getting to celebrate the opening of an additional supermarket this year.
Excitement was sparked last month when residents in South Molton, north Devon, where told by the town council that Lidl was ‘considering’ opening a store in the town in 2025 following ‘months of confidential negotiations’.
The council stated Lidl had ‘entered into an option agreement’ with the council for land it owns off North Road, opposite the recreation ground, beside Hacche Lane. However, Lidl has since confirmed it has not entered a legal contract for the site and currently has ‘no plans’ to open a store in South Molton in 2025.
A Lidl spokesperson said: “We wholly appreciate South Molton residents’ enthusiastic response to out interest in bringing a store to the town. While it is true that we have explored options in the area, we just wanted to follow up a few points that aren’t entirely accurate to avoid unintentionally misleading residents as to the extent of our plans in these early stages.
“While it has been stated that Lidl has entered into an option agreement on the site, this is not the case as we have not entered into any legal contract on this site.
“Further, no S106 contributions have been offered and there are currently no plans to deliver a store to the town in 2025. Once again, we truly appreciate the local community’s support for our interest in the town, and we’ll be sure to keep residents updated as and when there are confirmed developments to share.
On December 20, South Molton Town Council posted on its Facebook page that is had been in discussions with Lidl to deliver a much needed supermarket to the town.
The post said: “South Molton Town Council are delighted to announce that following months of confidential negotiations with supermarket operator Lidl, the company is considering opening a store in South Molton in 2025.
“Over the past few years, town clerk Andrew Coates has made many representations to all the major supermarket operators encouraging them to consider opening a store in town. In the spring of this year, Lidl approached Andrew with a view to opening a store in South Molton.
“Subsequently, executives from Lidl assessed many options in regard to potential store location which included central sites such as the former Norringtons Yard, adjacent to central car park, as well as the former Mole Valley Farmers Head Office site off Station Road. None of the centrally located sites met their criteria but the town council owned land off North Road opposite the recreation ground beside Hacche Lane was the only location they would consider.
“Lidl has now entered into an option agreement with South Molton Town Council on this piece of land. Over the coming months, Lidl will carry out further assessments in regard to the longer-term viability in regard to the investment required into building/ running a new store from scratch which also takes into account recent announcements made by the new Labour government.
“If the store proceeds, it will be similar in size and design to the latest Lidl supermarket to open at Roundswell in Barnstaple.”
Commenting on the announcement, Mayor Jacqui Footman was quoted in the post as saying: “We are delighted that Lidl is now formally considering opening a store in South Molton. An additional supermarket has been on the town’s ‘wish list’ for the past 25 years so is long overdue, especially given the rate at which the town has expanded over the past decade.
“Historically, the town council and previous and current councillors in their own right have approached different supermarkets with a view to encouraging them to come to South Molton, so this is testament to their commitment in improving what South Molton has to offer.
“I’d like to thank Andrew for his long-standing ongoing work to secure a new operator for the town which will be of benefit to everyone.”
The post added: “As part of the option agreement, Lidl have indicated that they will be happy to contribute additional funds for the benefit of the wider community which will come via the S106 agreement when and if a planning application is submitted. Further detail on how these funds will be used will be made public in due course.”
This has since been disputed by Lidl.