A new Lidl store in Coalisland would create 35 new jobs when up and running and represent an investment in the area of £7 million.
Armagh I first revealed plans for the store on the Washingbay Road at the end of May.
A pre-application notice had been lodged with Mid-Ulster District Council to allow for the public to have their say.
Now MBA Planning has revealed further details of what is entailed ahead of a drop-in public information event next week.
The works would involve the demolition of existing buildings on site, with the construction of a “discount foodstore” – confirmed as Lidl – together with access, parking, landscaping and associated site works.
The new Lidl would boast sales floorspace of just over 16,000 sq ft. The outlet does not include a cafe, according to current drawings.
In terms of parking, there would be 143 spaces, as well as six parent and child bays and four disabled spaces.
Access would be “centrally located” along the site fronting on to Washingbay Road.
According to MBA Planning: “The proposal will be an accessible, customer focussed store with Lidl’s established range of highly quality, low-priced goods.
“The store will have a significant emphasis on sustainability and energy efficiency – it will have PV panels on the roof, electric vehicle charging spaces, cycle spaces and will involve the use of sustainable drainage systems.
“The proposal will create 35 new full and part-time jobs, and will be a significant investment of £7 million in the construction and fit out of the store.”
The site to the north of Washingbay Road is currently occupied by a number of commercial properties, bounded by open space and housing to the east, by industrial units to the north and north-west and by an existing supermarket to the west.
“The site is not affected by any landscape, environmental or built heritage designations and is not within a flood plain,” according to MBA Planning.
And, highlighting growth and success to date, it adds: “The proposed foodstore would be operated by Lidl, a well-established discount retailer with over 13,000 stores across Europe and the USA including 44 in Northern Ireland.
“Lidl was recently named the most affordable supermarket in the UK and won ‘Best Large Business of the Year 2026’ at the Belfast Telegraph Business Awards.
“Lidl makes a significant contribution to the NI economy: 1,500 direct employees; helps to sustain over 7,000 jobs; £360 million contribution to the local economy in 2023 including £110 million in tax revenues; annual expenditure of over half a billion pounds on local agri-food produce, with about 75% of this exported outside of NI, thereby helping to expose local businesses to new markets and support growth within NI’s important agri-food sector.
“Lidl is the highest paying retailer in Northern Ireland. It was recently recognised as a Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute for a sixth consecutive year and is the only supermarket in NI to receive the accreditation.”
The public drop-in event will take place on Tuesday, June 30, at Clarman Architects Office on the Dungannon Road, Coalisland, from 4.30pm to 7pm. Drawings will be on display and interested parties may discuss the proposal with the project team and provide comments.
Feedback can also be given via email, to dermot@mbaplanning.com, by post to MBA Planning, 4 College House, Citylink Business Park, Belfast, BT12 4HQ, or by phone at (028) 9042 1011. All should be received by July 24.
After consideration of all opinions and comments raised, a full planning application would be compiled and lodged with council seeking full approval to proceed.
