Construction of new lidl store gets underway at former pub

Building work on a new Lidl store in Surrey has officially begun after a legal challenge by rivals Tesco to stop it failed. Construction of the new supermarket in Brighton Road in Horley, is

underway with the supermarket set to open early next year. The store will feature facilities that are currently missing from its existing shop in Victoria Road, including dedicated customer

toilets and baby changing. The budget supermarket chain is redeveloping The Air Balloon pub site to create a new store, which will replace its existing branch in the town centre. Shoppers

will have access to the bakery and fan-favourite Middle of Lidl, outside there is a much larger car park, including more disabled and parent and child bays along with electric vehicle

charging spaces. Solar panels on the roof will provide sustainable power to the store. Adam Forsdick, regional head of property at Lidl GB, said: “We’ve been part of the community here for

over 25 years and are thrilled to be bringing a brand-new store which will better meet the needs of the area. We know that the delays have been frustrating for residents, but it will be

worth the wait as we’re finally in a position to bring our plans to life. "We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported us in our journey to bring this new

store. We’re on track to open early next year and look forward to welcoming everyone into our new home in Horley.” The current store in Victoria Road will remain open until the new store is

ready and existing colleagues will be retained. The new Lidl was at the centre of a court challenge when Tesco challenged Reigate and Banstead Borough Council’s planning permission to allow

Lidl to build the new store. The rival brand argued there was not a strong enough case that the benefit of the development outweighed the harms. James Strachan KC sitting as a deputy judge

of the High Court, disagreed and threw out Tesco’s bid. Instead, he said that the socio-economic benefits were sufficient to grant planning permission. JOIN OUR NEW WHATSAPP COMMUNITY! CLICK

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