Lidl plans expansion of Old Kent Road store
Lidl has applied to Southwark Council for planning permission to remodel and expand its store on Old Kent Road near Bricklayers Arms.
The German-founded supermarket chain plans to expand its trading area, install an in-store bakery and move some of its storage to a new first floor.
"Lidl has been trading from its Walworth store for more than 20 years," according to Lidl's planning consultants.
"It is a very popular destination and is the only [discount] retailer in the north of the Borough serving the residents of north west Southwark.
"However, the store is dated and unable to offer the full Lidl product range. The warehouse and staff welfare areas are also limited. The current arrangements for the store are no longer suitable for Lidl and are burdensome to the operation of the business.
"It is therefore proposed to extend and modify the store, and alter the site’s car parking arrangements. The proposals will overcome Lidl’s operational issues at the site and will improve its appearance and functionality whilst enhancing the overall customer experience."
The extension to the store will result in the loss of six car parking spaces, leaving a total of 47 spaces.
An archaeological report submitted with the planning application notes that " there is a high potential for Roman remains of moderate significance to be present which would require recording prior to their removal".
Since 2020 Lidl has had two stores on the Old Kent Road, having taken over the former Toys R Us site at the SE15 end of the road. Old Kent Road's Aldi store closed its doors for redevelopment last month.
In 2015, Lidl's previous plan to expand the store was rejected by Southwark Council for making "an inefficient use of the land".
For more details on the current planning application see 22/AP/2527
