A discount supermarket has served further notice of its plans to expand in Gloucestershire and provide jobs.

Lidl has submitted plans to increase the size of its current store on Evesham Road in Bishop's Cleeve, near Cheltenham.

It follows news that the German discounter is closing its store on Bristol Road in Gloucester this Sunday to "make way for a brand new store coming soon", as described in its promotional leaflets.

In plans submitted to Tewkesbury Borough Council, Lidl said increasing the size of its store on Evesham Road from 1,305sqm to 2,753sqm would benefit the community, shoppers and local retailers.

Its planning application states: "Lidl stores serve a relatively compact catchment area and are intended to provide a local shopping facility.

"The locational strategy of Lidl is for stores in urban areas, to serve an area that broadly equates to a 0-5 minute drive-time of the site.

"Because of its limited offer, people do not tend to travel long distances to shop at Lidl.

"Many customers use Lidl stores to purchase part of their main grocery shop (ie basic staples), often on foot, taking advantage of the low prices, but then visit other retailers to purchase luxury food or more specialist items that are not offered at Lidl (eg fresh fish).

"In addition, many Lidl customers also continue to visit smaller independent convenience stores close to their homes for top-up/basket shopping (ie buying a pint of milk or a loaf of bread) as well as to use services that are not provided by Lidl (eg dry cleaning, Post Office etc).

"The proposed Lidl store would employ up to 40 staff in store. Lidl has a policy of employing local people from all backgrounds to work in their stores."

What do you think? Email mark@moosemarketingandpr.co.uk 

Readers' comments:

Mike Waring: Wish they'd get on with one in Stroud. After all that 'store wars' nonsense of nearly two years ago not one of the proposals has seen the light of day.