July 14th, 2023

Lidl given the go ahead to fill empty Worthing unit

Supermarket chain Lidl has been given permission to take over an empty unit at Lyons Farm to open a new store.

Worthing Borough Council’s planning committee has approved plans to convert the former Halfords unit at Downlands Retail Park and the neighbouring unit currently occupied by Bensons for Beds into one branch of Lidl.

The supermarket says the development will not affect its existing Worthing town centre store in North Street.

The new store will generate almost half of the energy it needs to operate from air source heat pumps and solar panels on its entrance canopy. 

Cllr Caroline Baxter, Worthing’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “The new Lidl store will create more jobs for our community in a unit that could otherwise have continued to sit empty.

“The redevelopment of the site will also reduce its environmental impact, helping us move closer towards our goal of becoming a net zero town.”

The owners have pledged to improve the biodiversity of the site by installing bird and bat boxes, bug hotels and hedgehog houses in the landscaped areas.

Lidl has agreed to spend up to £75,000 helping to fund improvements to the Lyons Way junction to ease congestion and improve pedestrian links to the other retail units including Sainsbury’s. The applicant is also making a financial contribution to help mitigate any impact on air quality and will introduce a travel plan to encourage staff to come to the store by sustainable modes of transport.



News from Adur & Worthing Councils 


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Comments (3)

Scott - July 14th, 2023 8:03pm
Misleading headline. Should read ‘Lidl given the go ahead to fill empty Worthing unit and take over currently occupied unit’.

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Pauline Cory - July 15th, 2023 5:41am
Anything that could be done to relieve the congestion at these junctions would naturally be welcomed and it would be good to see the temporary traffic lights finally resolved (how long have they been like this?!). However, I think they have a massive challenge on their hands, especially if the proposed new housing nearby finally happens!! Good luck to anyone trying to get through that area at any time of day, but even more so at peak times - personally I avoid shopping there now.

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Tim Grigg - July 15th, 2023 10:23am
Great news for Worthing which is growing quickly. The Town & Surrounding Areas can easily accommodate this popular brand’s expansion. Plus it’s great for employment opportunities too. It’s a win win.

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