Lidl GB is accelerating its commitment to providing households across the country with enhanced access to affordable high-quality products as it shares updates on two major warehouse projects.
The discounter has now completed its two-stage extension at its Belvedere site in London, investing £285 million across two buildings. The first phase of investment, which involved the construction of a new, second warehouse, equates to £160 million. The second stage demolished the original building to make way for a state-of-the art warehouse, which tripled capacity.
Lidl now boasts 800,000sq ft warehouse space at Belvedere, a 167% increase in its footprint since first opening at the site in 2003 – now big enough to park nearly 1,800 double decker buses indoors. Once fully operational, the site will serve 120 stores – from its recently opened store in Brentford, down to Dorking, as well as future stores.
The discounter’s ambitions don’t stop there. Last month construction started at its 38-acre site in Gildersome, Leeds. The £150m investment is yet another example of Lidl’s commitment to scaling up and strengthening infrastructure to support its stores across the country as it builds towards its major milestone of 1,000 stores.
These developments will lead to over 500 new jobs, with the expansion at Belvedere creating 120 new positions and the Leeds warehouse resulting in 400 new roles. Following the discounter’s latest announcement, colleagues will also benefit from Lidl’s market leading pay and benefits from next month.
Richard Taylor, chief real estate officer at Lidl GB said: “We’re proud to play our role in driving economic growth, while continuing to establish an infrastructure that delivers sustainable growth for our ambitious expansion plans. But these investments are not just about logistics. The updates today also represent an investment in our mission to make good food accessible to households across the country.”
Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said: “This investment is a strong vote of confidence in the UK economy, and Lidl’s commitment to new warehouse facilities in London and Leeds will unlock hundreds of new jobs, strengthen supply chains, and ensure families can access affordable, quality food. Through our Plan for Change we’re backing business and working in partnership to deliver growth and opportunity in communities across the country.”
These projects, alongside Lidl’s ongoing search for new warehouses in the south of England, reinforce Lidl’s scale and ambition as it continues to grow.
