After 18 months, still no progress on Ripon Lidl

Eighteen months on since planning permission was ratified for a Ripon Lidl, there is still no sign of work starting.

Lidl submitted a planning application in May 2021 and it was approved on Christmas Eve of the same year.

The company ran a public consultation on the scheme, which involves opening a 1,250 square metre store at St Michael’s Park, Rotary Way.

It would be located near the existing M&S Foodhall and create up to 40 jobs

In its planning application, Lidl said the site was ideal:

“Lidl has a commitment to secure representation in Ripon and has been searching for suitable premises for a number of years. The nearest Lidl food stores are located some distance away in Knaresborough, Thirsk and Northallerton.”

However, there is no sign of the store opening. This is despite the planning documents saying Lidl hoped that 2022 would be the “first full and settled trading year for the new store”.

The Stray Ferret is regularly asked by readers for an update on what would be the town’s first Lidl.

As today marks 18 months since the plans were signed off, we contacted the company to find out more about its plans.

But as with our previous request for an update in April, did not receive a response.

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Shoppers form long queue for opening of Harrogate’s first Lidl

A long queue of shoppers formed outside Harrogate’s first Lidl supermarket this morning for the grand opening.

On a bright but cold morning, people began queueing well before 8am when the doors opened for the first time.

Work began on the new store in February this year. Today the Mayor of the Harrogate borough, councillor Victoria Oldham, formally announced the store open and cut a ribbon before local residents poured in.

The Stray Ferret was there for a live broadcast on Facebook:

Chris Aldred, the Liberal Democrat councillor for the Harrogate Fairfax ward, said it was important the area had a lower cost supermarket:

“Times are hard aren’t they? We’re all trying to save whatever we can save so having this on the doorstep on this side of town is good.

“It’s also better for the environment as people won’t have to travel long distances to get bargains. I just think it’s really, really good for Harrogate.

“I’ve been really impressed with Lidl’s attitude throughout the process – it was a proper consultation. They went around knocking on doors talking to people and, as a result, there wasn’t a single objection.

They even refurbished the public bench on the pavement which they didn’t have to.”

Pupils from Starbeck Primary School hold up their winning designs after the store held a competition to create a poster for the opening. 

Store manager Martin Hart told the Stray Ferret he was surprised by the number of people outside the store today:

“There was a massive push from the team last night and this morning to get the store ready for customers.

“When I saw the queue I was a bit overwhelmed but excited and it’s great to see how much interest is there and I think the store is going to be good for Harrogate.”

Lidl Harrogate store manager Martin Hart 

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