More Lidl stores could come to Ipswich following new opening

It is still looking for new sites for stores in Ipswich - and insists there is no threat to any existing stores.

Shoppers queuing for the new Lidl store (Image: Lucy Taylor)

The opening of the new superstore on Thursday morning had sparked speculation that the company's first store in Ipswich, at the junction of Handford Road and London Road, could be under threat.

The Handford Road Lidl was the first to open in Ipswich - but is smaller than newer stores. (Image: Google Maps)

It is smaller than the more modern stores at Futura Park and now at the Anglia Retail Park.

When Futura Park opened two years ago it replace the much-smaller Lidl store on Ravenswood - but that was only a few yards away on the opposite side of Nacton Road.

Shoppers were quick to pay an early visit to the new Lidl at Anglia Retail Park. (Image: Lucy Taylor)

Lidl's regional property manager Andrew Hodgkinson dismissed any suggestion that the new store opening could threaten the Handford Road site.

He said: "We're hoping to open more stores in the Ipswich area, not close anything! This store is serving a completely new area.

"We would like to have a Lidl for every 20,000 or so population - so we'd like to see more in an area like Ipswich."

The 'Middle of Lidl' aisle in the new supermarket (Image: Lucy Taylor) The new Anglia Retail Park store has created 31 jobs, as some have transferred from other nearby stores while some are new to the company.

Colin Kreidewolf the chair of Ipswich Borough Assets, which built and owns the store which Lidl leases, was at the opening with council leader Neil MacDonald.

Mr Kreidewolf said: "It's good to see it finally completed. It's taken longer than we hoped but it is good for the area."

Colin Kreidewolf and Neil MacDonald at the opening of the new Lidl (Image: Lucy Taylor)

Last year Lidl said it was looking to build 16 new stores in Suffolk. As well as the Anglia Retail Park site it said it wanted stores in west Ipswich (Chantry/Stoke area), North Ipswich (Garden Suburb area) and in the Kesgrave/Martlesham/Woodbridge area.

With the opening of the new Lidl, there is a battle between discount superstores in Suffolk's county town.

Just two weeks before Thursday's opening on the Anglia Retail Park, the nearest Aldi in Europa Way opened a new in-store bakery - a new departure but one which copies one of Lidl's main selling points.

Children from Whitehouse Primary opened the new Lidl store at Anglia Retail Park (Image: Lucy Taylor)

Mr Hodgkinson said with a smile: "Yes, we'd seen that - it will be interesting to see if they copy anything else from us!"

Discount stores have made major inroads into the UK food market over the last 15 years, starting with the credit crunch.

And it doesn't seem as if their growth is set to falter any time soon - especially in the Ipswich area.