Salisbury residents have their say on plans for second Lidl

Salisbury: So, there’s a bit of a buzz in town about Lidl wanting to set up shop again. Some folks are really excited, thinking it’ll create jobs and give people in the north and west a more affordable shopping option.

Back in October, Lidl announced plans to turn two units at Churchill Way West Retail Park into a new supermarket. If all goes well, it’ll take over the spots where Smyths Toys and Homesense used to be.

The new store would be right next to Sports Direct and Waitrose, which sounds pretty convenient. Smyths closed its doors on January 5, and Homesense is set to follow suit soon. Lidl is keen to make shopping easier for everyone, especially for those living nearby.

They’re talking about creating around 40 jobs with this new store, plus there’s a plan for another standalone unit in the mix. If the council gives the thumbs up, it’ll be a busy little area with Lidl, Sports Direct, and Waitrose all close together.

Right now, Lidl has a store on Hatches Lane, and there’s an Aldi not too far away on London Road. The council has received over 140 comments from the public, with people either supporting or opposing the new supermarket.

Some residents think it’ll help ease traffic on Southampton Road, which can get pretty congested. Steve Mackie is all for it, saying it’s great news for the traffic situation. Andrew Lee agrees, saying it’ll save him a trip down to Southampton Road.

But not everyone is on board. Some locals are sad to see Smyths and Homesense go and think another supermarket isn’t necessary. Teresa Barsby is worried it’ll mean less variety in shops and more traffic in an already busy area.

Others, like Matthew Jones, are concerned about parking and traffic chaos if the new Lidl opens without proper measures in place. Catherine Hallam thinks Salisbury doesn’t need another Lidl, while the Cycling Opportunities Group has raised issues about bike access to the store.

City councillors are also pushing for better bus access to the retail park. They want to make sure everyone can get there easily, especially if Lidl opens up. Councillor Victoria Charleston is excited about the idea of a more affordable food store and hopes for better bus service to the area.

The Journal has reached out to Lidl for their thoughts, but Wiltshire Council hasn’t set a date for a decision yet.