Customers ignore heavy showers

Heavy showers failed to deter hundreds of shoppers who turned up for the opening of the new Lidl supermarket in Sutton Coldfield.

The new car park was packed as curious customers flocked to be among the first to see what the new store in Mere Green has to offer.

During the first week of opening customers were being offered deals and offers on selected products including a Tri Scooter with LED wheels (£8.99) on opening day, a Foot Spa Medisana (£9.99) the following day and a Record Player Dual (£44.99) on Saturday 7 August.

The size of the plot and particularly the room in the car park surprised many customers with ample parking and electric vehicle owners taking advantage of the double electric charging point facility.

One customer, Four Oaks resident Patrick James, who has lived in the area for more than 30 years, said: “While I was not surprised with the store layout, it seems pretty standard for Lidl, I was surprised at how much parking there is. You could not judge it while it was being built.”

Predicted traffic chaos was not evident as traffic moved smoothly in and out of the new store and the Sainsbury’s car park opposite.

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Lidl GB has confirmed that the new store will be providing surplus produce and customer donations to local charities, including Sutton Coldfield United Reformed Church and Hope Food who run food banks to help those in need, as well as Help to Make Tummies Full, who redistribute surplus food to prevent local children from going hungry.

This is delivered through Lidl’s Feed it Back scheme, which is run in partnership with Neighbourly and connects Lidl stores up and down the country with local charities, foodbanks, community cafes and kitchens, putting quality food surplus to good use every day.

The store has also said that it recommends the wearing of face coverings and will provide hand sanitisation for the foreseeable future.

Part of the company’s ongoing £1.3bn expansion and regeneration plans across Great Britain for 2021 and 2022, the store will create around 40 new jobs for the local community. 

The store will be between 8am-10pm Monday to Saturday, and 10am-4pm on Sunday, delivering Lidl’s offering of fresh, quality and great value produce. 

As well as being fitted with solar panels to help power the store, the supermarket will also have facilities such as an 1325m² sales area, an instore bakery, customer toilet and 124 car parking spaces, including 2 electric vehicle charging spaces.

Lidl GB’s Regional Head of Property, Rachel Hargreaves, commented: “We would like to thank all those who have played a part in bringing this new Lidl store to Mere Green. We are delighted to be able to create more jobs and investment opportunities in the area and look forward to welcoming everyone to our new store.”