Discount retailer Lidl is looking to open a branch within part of the former B&Q building in Fox Den Road, Stoke Gifford, the Journal has learned.
A planning application has been submitted to South Gloucestershire Council seeking permission to vary conditions on the original planning application for the building to allow its subdivision, permit the sale of food and drink and make changes to the external elevations, including the installation of full-height glazing and sliding double doors and the creation of a trolley bay.
The building has been vacant since B&Q ceased trading in June 2016, although only part of it had been in use for some years after B&Q reduced its floorspace.
Planning permission to convert another part of the building into a gym was granted in April 2016. That unit, at the end closest to the Ring Road, is currently being fitted out and is expected to open under the DW Fitness brand in the new year.
A ‘retail assessment’ statement submitted with the application states: “Although a specific tenant is yet to be finalised, discussions are ongoing and it is anticipated that the end user will be a Limited Assortment Discounter (LAD).” However, an additional document, the ‘transport assessment’, clearly identifies the potential tenant as Lidl.
According to the applicants, the proposal “will enhance convenience goods provision in the local area, affording local residents a greater choice of convenience shopping facilities”. Furthermore, “it will provide an additional discount foodstore and promote competition between operators”.
The retail assessment anticipates that the Asda store at the nearby Abbey Wood Retail Park will experience the highest level of trade diversion as a result of the proposed development, due to an overlap in target market. The new store is expected to derive 30 percent of it turnover from this source, representing a 10 percent impact.
The adjacent Sainsbury’s store is also expected to be affected, but to a slightly lesser degree, resulting in a 5.4 percent impact on convenience turnover.
Plans and reports may be viewed on the South Gloucestershire Council website under reference PT16/4626/RVC.
This article originally appeared in the September 2016 edition of the Bradley Stoke Journal news magazine, delivered FREE, EVERY MONTH, to 9,500 homes in Bradley Stoke, Little Stoke and Stoke Lodge. Phone 01454 300 400 to enquire about advertising or leaflet insertion.
Hello, South Glos Council just approved the application for the conversion. PT16/4626/RVC. Could you please give us an update when we can expect the store open. The application on the council website doesn`t say it is a Lidl or Aldi. It would be great to get some accurate information. I am looking forward to shopping in the store.
The planning application was approved, subject to conditions, on 9th December 2016. The decision notice can be viewed on the ‘Documents’ tab of this page: http://bit.ly/2b7rG1y
@Collette, The source of the reference to Lidl is explained in the article.
@SH, I just wanted to get more information regarding opening dates. It would be great if you could provide some information regarding that.
A further planning application to extended the hours during which deliveries may be made to the proposed food store was approved by South Gloucestershire Council on 17th March 2017.
See: PT16/6859/RVC | Variation of condition 4 attached to planning permission PT16/4626/RVC to change delivery times.
Planning permission for a change of use to sell food and drink was obtained and the application included a report commissioned by Lidl, but it’s home, leisure and garden outlet ‘The Range’ which will be opening tomorrow (Friday 5th May) in part of the former B&Q store in Fox Den Road, Stoke Gifford
Lidl has announced that its new Stoke Gifford store is set to open at 8am on Thursday 5th April 2018. The store sits between The Range and Poundstretcher.