New Lidl store in Moston faces uncertainty after competitor Tesco clash

Lidl recently secured planning permission from Manchester Council on 3rd September, after its application received support from the local area. However, new hurdles have emerged after objections have been raised by representatives for Tesco, potentially leading to a formal legal challenge.

According to Lidl, this latest development follows a spate of challenges and objections by Tesco for new Lidl stores across the country.

Lidl has reaffirmed its commitment to bringing a new store to Moston. The new store would also create 40 new jobs.

Nick Harvey, Regional Head of Property for Manchester at Lidl GB, said: “Lidl exists to provide all households with access to good food at the best value prices. For the communities we serve, we understand the importance of increased choice, new jobs and investment within the area and this threat to a new Lidl store for Moston will come as a blow to many. We understand the Council seeks to defend its decision and we’d like to reassure residents in Moston that we are fully committed to seeing through our plans.”

The plans represent a multi-million-pound investment for a store with a 1,334m² sales area.

Regarding the matter, Tesco said that they do not object to the vast majority of planning applications submitted by competitors, that any objections they submit are only ever based on material planning considerations, and that they never object on the basis of loss of trade or simply to delay a competitor’s planning application.