BUDGET supermarket giant Lidl is expected to open talks with Huntingdonshire planners shortly in the hope of finding a better site for a store in Huntingdon than the German company’s present proposal for Stukeley Road, beyond the iron bridge.
The planners are unhappy at the possibility of another out-of-town supermarket when they are seeking to regenerate the town centre by reducing Tesco’s ‘over-trading’ at Abbots Ripton Road.
The westward expansion of Huntingdon town centre, combined with Churchmanor Estates’ plans to rebuild half of Chequers Court, has opened up new opportunities for the budget chain to contribute to the commercial success of the larger shopping area.
With Waitrose committed to moving to new, larger premises in the new Chequers Court, and Sainsbury’s about to start building a replacement store next to the new link road from the railway station to Ermine Street, additional opportunities will be created for Lidl to join in the fun.
If the discussions are successful, the Stukeley Road application is expected to be withdrawn. If not, it is likely to be considered at the November meeting of the district council’s development management panel.
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