Discount grocery chain Lidl has revealed plans to open a supermarket at a former office building in the small town of Bicester, Oxfordshire.
The retailer has submitted a planning application to build a 5,301 sq ft store and 75-space car park on the south side of a site on the corner of Telford Road and Launton Road.
Lidl’s plan to regenerate the area and increase competition in the food market has been welcomed by town councillors.
Les Sibley, Labour town and district councillor, said: “I think it’s good news for Bicester. Anything that brings a derelict site back into play is to be supported. Obviously it has to go through the planning process, but I welcome it.”
He added: “With new businesses comes jobs . Perhaps it’s a sign there is a growing confidence in the economy.
However, Bicester Chamber of Commerce president Ben Jackson said he was concerned that the town needed to be “developing a balanced range of employment opportunities, not just retail/sales “.
