The application made by Lidl to overhaul the current Matalan store on Swindon Road in Cheltenham has been approved by Cheltenham Borough Council.

As reported by Punchline in July, the German supermarket chain had submitted plans to move from its existing town centre premises site on Grosvenor Terrace to the site close to the Brewery Quarter.

The existing building will be extensively remodelled with around 75 per cent of it becoming a new Lidl store, with the remainder of the building being set aside for a new tenant.

The remodelling work would see the current striking curved metallic-look roof removed and Lidl's traditional glass fronted building replace it. Solar panels will be incorporated into the new roof.

When submitting the plans, Lidl said they had been looking for a way to increase floor space in Cheltenham Town centre with the Grosvenor terrace store no longer big enough.

Lidl said: "A detailed survey of the existing store has been undertaken in order to identify the scope of works required to bring the store up to Lidl's high company standards.

"This survey has identified a need to provide additional sales and non-sales floor space to allow the full business model to be implemented.

"The required enhancements include the provision of an in-store bakery, additional chiller and freezer storage facilities and enhanced staff accommodation.

"The lack of free, surface level parking for customers h

as also been identified as a significant constraint on the function of the store.

"However, there are no opportunities to extend the store or provide surface level parking due to the tight physical constraints of the site.

"The conclusion has been drawn that it is necessary to relocate the store to be able to deliver the high standard of accommodation that Lidl seeks to provide across the store portfolio."

In the initial submission, Lidl confirmed that if the plans are successful the planned move would take place as soon as possible with the current premises immediately being put on the market.

The plans were approved subject to conditions that there would be no deliveries to the store outside of 7am-10pm on Monday to Saturday and 8am to 8pm on Sundays.