Discount retailer Lidl is holding a public consultation event over its plans for a new store in Witham.

The chain hopes to create the shop in Bridge Street, on the site of the former Bramston Sports Centre, as part of its UK expansion plans – bringing a multi-million pound investment and up to 40 jobs to the Essex town.

Ahead of a planning application due to be submitted to Braintree District Council next month, Lidl is inviting residents to view the outline plans at an event next week.

Members of Lidl’s property team and planning consultants from JLL will be on hand at the Maltings Academy restaurant in Spinks Lane from 2.30-6.30pm on August 23.

The proposed new single-storey shop would include a in-store bakery, customer toilets, 122 car parking spaces, and a 1,325sqm sales area – with only a limited range of products stocked to encourage shoppers to ‘top-up’ at existing town centre stores.

Colin Rimmer, Lidl UK’s regional head of property, said: “We are extremely excited about the prospect of opening a Lidl in Witham and serving our fresh, quality and incredibly good value produce which shoppers across the country have come to love.

“We look forward to welcoming anyone along to the public consultation day and showcasing our plans whilst answering any questions.”

Lidl currently has 670 stores nationwide, but hopes to more than double this to 1,500 in the future.

• Anyone wanting to feedback on the Witham plans can do so at the store website.