Lidl Ireland has been granted planning permission by Laois County Council for a new supermarket in Mountmellick, Co. Laois, representing the retailer's third location in the county and part of a wider €600m national investment programme to open 35 new stores across Ireland by 2030.

Laois Nationalist reported that the development involves the acquisition and transformation of a long-derelict town centre site, with the total local investment valued at over €6.5m.

The six-month build phase is expected to create more than 100 construction jobs and generate over €1.5m in wages, with 30 permanent positions to follow upon opening.

The new store will be built to Lidl's Concept store design, incorporating roof solar PV panels, energy-efficient heat pumps, LED lighting, and customer EV charging spaces, in line with the retailer's target to achieve net-zero by 2050.

Niall Murray, regional managing director for the Newbridge area at Lidl Ireland, said the project is about more than just a new building, describing the development as delivering a significant economic boost to Mountmellick through job creation and the regeneration of a key local area. Murray also acknowledged the support of over 800 local residents who signed a petition in favour of the store.

The planning application followed sustained community support, including a public petition of 804 signatures. The store will include self-service checkouts, two Deposit Return Scheme machines, an in-store bakery, and off-licence facilities.

The Mountmellick development forms part of Lidl's accelerating Irish construction programme, which is delivering new-build retail across a range of urban and town centre locations as part of its national store expansion strategy to 2030.

See the full details on Lidl's Mountmellick planning approval and development plans.