Plans by discount supermarket giant Lidl to demolish and rebuild its store in Bilston have been given the green light by local authorities, promising a modern retail facility and town centre improvements.
Council Approves Full Redevelopment
City of Wolverhampton Council has granted full planning permission for Lidl to knock down its existing High Street supermarket in Bilston. The retailer had argued the current building was "poor quality and outdated" and failed to meet contemporary operational standards.
This new approval comes after an earlier permission, granted in March 2022, had expired. The latest scheme refines those original plans, focusing solely on the supermarket redevelopment.
Key Features of the New Lidl Store
The comprehensive redevelopment will see the old store and the derelict, adjoining 127-year-old former Swan pub demolished. The pub site will be converted into additional parking.
The new supermarket design promises significant upgrades:
- A 9% increase in net sales area, allowing for a broader product range.
- A more efficient building footprint despite the larger sales space.
- An increase in total parking from 136 to 155 spaces.
- The introduction of dedicated electric vehicle and cycle parking.
- Improved entrance arrangements for better access to the town centre.
Two retail units that were part of the 2022 plan, intended for a site next to the existing McDonald's, have been removed from this application.
Regeneration Benefits for Bilston
In its planning statement, Lidl emphasised the wider regenerative benefits for Bilston town centre. The company stated the new store would deliver a "material uplift in retail quality" and markedly improve the visual appeal of the western end of the High Street.
The development is expected to contribute positively to the vitality and attractiveness of the area as a whole, enhancing convenience shopping for local residents.
In a related development, the same council has also approved a separate Lidl project nearby. The company can proceed with building a new store and 17 new homes on the site of the former Gills sausage factory and abattoir in Parkfields. That scheme, approved in September, will create around 40 new jobs and include a 110-space car park.
