Lidl is hoping to open a huge new store in Coalisland, Armagh I can exclusively reveal.
The new supermarket – boasting floorspace of close to 25,000 sq ft – has been earmarked for an expansive site on the Washingbay Road.
If approved, it is expected the outlet would create scores of new jobs, both during construction and when up and running.
Such is the scale of the plans, it has been classed as a ‘major’ development.
With that, a pre-application notice as required has been submitted to Mid-Ulster District Council signalling the retailer’s intent.
This will afford the chance for public feedback which, when received, would allow for responses to be considered ahead of the submission of an application seeking full approval to proceed.
While little detail is known at this stage, full plans are to be made available via a dedicated website, due to be launched around the middle of the month and to remain online until late July.
And a public drop-in event is being scheduled at the office of Coalisland-based Clarman Architects at the end of June.
For now, the plan put forward involves the demolition of existing buildings at the site at 4 Washingbay Road.
This would make way for the construction of a “discount foodstore”, with Lidl to be the future tenant.
The plans also include access, parking, landscaping and associated siteworks.
Residents and businesses within 90 metres of the proposed development site – as well as local councillors – will be written to and advised of plans when the website goes live in June.
News of Lidl’s intention to open in Coalisland comes after the launch last year of a new larger relocated store – including in-house café – in nearby Dungannon.
Work is also still ongoing on the site of the former filling station at Rushmere in Craigavon, with construction of a new Lidl supermarket there well underway.
Lidl recently indicated its hopes to open a further 16 outlets across Northern Ireland, bringing its total number of stores here from 44 to 60, as part of a multi-million pound investment.
The Coalisland plans would appear to be the first step in delivering on that, with more to follow in due course.
