Major supermarket to close ‘no longer fit for purpose’ branch within weeks after a decade – but it’s not all bad news
A MAJOR supermarket chain is set to shutter one of its stores for good next month.
Lidl has confirmed that it will be shutting its Kentish Town Road branch on February 11 – after a decade on the high street.
A spokesperson for the budget chain said that the branch had been forced to close as it was “unfortunately no longer fit for purpose”.
Although, they added that its not all bad news and that they have plans to acquire an alternative site nearby so that they can reopen.
Until then, the nearest stores for Kentish Town residents are on Tottenham Court Road and Holloway Road.
Caroline Hill, who chairs the civic group Kentish Town Road Action, told the Camden New Journal: “It is very sad. It is always rammed. Everyone shops there – it is a classless shop.
“Kentish Town Road is a big arterial through route so it does need double yellow lines and we can understand Lidl’s problems but it is a great pity.
“It may affect the footfall for other shops. We hope another store comes in quickly to take up the empty unit.”
While John Nicholson, a regular Lidl shopper, said: “If a business like Lidl cannot make a decent enough profit out of this store it’s hard to imagine who can.
“Since opening the store has been very popular and always busy with a really diverse range of local people attracted by its very keen prices compared to other supermarkets.
“It will be missed by lots of people including me.”
The news comes just days after the supermarket chain’s announcement that its also shutting its store in Paignton, Devon after 25 years.
After long and intense speculation about the future of the store, Lidl has revealed their branch in the Victoria Centre will shut for good on February 4.
A spokesperson for Lidl said: “We can confirm that our Paignton store in the Victoria Centre, which is almost 25 years old, is unfortunately no longer fit for purpose and will be closing on Sunday 4th February.
“Residents can be assured that they will still have access to our great value products at our larger White Rock Way store, just 10 minutes’ walk away.
“Additionally, our teams are continuing with plans to bring a new store to Kings Ash.”
Several other Lidl branches have closed over the last year, with its store in Beckenham High Street shutting in mid November.
Although these closures have come as a shock, they’re rumoured to be part of Lidl’s expansion plans for the next few years.
Last year, Lidl announced plans to open hundreds of locations across the UK as part of huge expansion plans.
It confirmed a new store target of 1,100 stores by the end of 2025, creating potentially 4,000 new jobs.
We have a full list of potential new Lidl locations – find out if a store is coming to a town near you.