A new state-of-the-art Lidl foodstore has opened in St Neots today (Tuesday) creating 40 new jobs for the town.

The new supermarket, which is the second Lidl to open in St Neots, marks a multi-million pound investment and forms part of the company’s ongoing expansion plans in the UK which will see its existing store portfolio 630 stores increase to 1,500.

The store, on the Great North Road in Eaton Socon, includes an in-store bakery, longer-style tills with dual packing facilities, customer toilets, baby changing facilities and parking for cars and bicycles. The fully glass fronted façade has been designed to maximise natural daylight and the electrical lighting system is made up entirely of LED fittings which, compared with a traditional lighting system, are more than 50 per cent more energy efficient.

Customers have been sampling food throughout the day and the official opening ceremony was performed by St Neots mayor, Councillor Derek Giles.

Lidl UK’s regional head of property, Jeremy Lee, said: “We would like to thank all those who have played a part in bringing this new Lidl store to Eaton Socon. It is wonderful for us to be able to create more jobs and investment opportunities in the area, and we can’t wait to start serving our multi-award winning products to the local community.”

Lidl open its first foodstore in Germany in 1973 and by the mid 1980s had become a household name. Rapid development continued and the foodchain now has more than 9,000 stores in 26 European countries, including 630 outlets in the UK.