Supermarket chain unveils new store plans for Wiltshire town
Lidl wants to build a bigger store on land near Eastern Way
Budget supermarket chain Lidl has unveiled plans to relocate its store from the town centre to a larger site on the east of Melksham.
The German trader wants to close its 20-year-old store on Bath Road and build on 1.9 hectares of farmland near Eastern Way, 1.8km from the town centre.
The new, multi-million pound store would measure 2,184 sq m with a sales floor of 1,529 sq m – more than a third larger than its existing store.
There would be 132 car parking spaces including six disabled bays, nine parent and child spaces, and two EV charging spaces.
The retailer says the proximity to existing and planned housing would “reduce unsustainable shopping patterns.”
It adds that the store would be one of its new energy-efficient outlets, with 384 roof-mounted solar panels providing 180kw of electricity.
If approved by Wiltshire Council planners, the move will create 10 additional jobs, with existing employees being offered roles at the new store.
Regional head of property for Lidl GB, Glen Stidever, said, “We are proud to have been part of the Melksham community for many years.
“We explored options for investing in our current Bath Road store, which is constrained by its internal size, car park and layout.
“Efforts to incorporate our latest specification store there have proven unviable.
“This proposed investment in a new and enhanced Lidl store reflects our ongoing commitment to provide an even better service to our customers and colleagues.”