LOW-COST retailer Lidl is to open a store in Gulliver’s Retail Park next month following what it describes as “overwhelming support” from the local community in Ballymun.
The move to make permanent the Lidl outlet previously used for ‘warehouse’ sales comes after the company successfully came through the planning process for a new store in Ballymun.
Lidl faced a number of challenges to its Ballymun project and was keen to get locals behind the plan. An open day for the development was held in Ballymun Civic Centre to inform the community about the project.
The day proved to be a big success, with a significant number of signatures collected in support of the Lidl development.
Dublin City Council later granted planning permission for the new retail store and accommodation for more than 360 students in 60 units.
Construction of the Ballymun store is due to start shortly but while waiting for the outlet to be completed, locals will be able to shop at Lidl in the nearby Gulliver’s Retail Park Santry store from next month.
Regional Director for Lidl, Tom McAuliffe, explained why the company was opening the new outlet.
“We held a public information day in September to showcase plans we had for the Ballymun store located at Balbutcher Way,” he said.
“We were inundated with positive feedback from the local community with regards to this development.
“The planning process in Ireland is a lengthy one and so we looked at options where we could possibly open a store in the area sooner rather than later.
“Gulliver’s Retail Park has presented us with such an opportunity, in a very accessible location.
“This store will be our 39th store in Dublin and brings us to 155 in the Republic of Ireland.”
McAuliffe revealed that the new store will bring 20 jobs to the area and promised that its opening will not impact on the Ballymun project.
“We are still committed to investing in that Lidl store with ancillary office space, car parking and the construction of two linked blocks of student accommodation comprising of 364 bed spaces including retail units and cafés," he said.
The Gulliver’s Retail Park store will be Lidl's second in Santry, with its Omni Park Shopping Centre outlet open since 2014. The new store will join Homebase and McDonalds in the retail park just off Junction 4 of the M50.
Lidl has opened recruitment for its new positions on its careers website at www.jobs.lidl.ie.