LIDL to invest £500m and open 16 new stores in Northern Ireland

Lidl plans to invest £500 million to open 16 new stores across Northern Ireland over the next six years, and the company says the expansion could create about 1,000 additional jobs; the rollout is contingent on planning approvals.

Lidl has announced plans to invest £500 million in Northern Ireland and to open 16 new stores over the next six years, bringing its total in the region to 60. The company says the move could add nearly 1,000 jobs to the almost 1,500 people it already employs in the province. Lidl said the investment will be spread across Northern Ireland, including a previously announced £31 million commitment in the northwest. The retailer also warned that the expansion depends on planning approvals and cited delays in the planning system. Key details: - Lidl plans to invest £500 million and open 16 new stores in Northern Ireland over the next six years. - The expansion would increase Lidl's total stores in Northern Ireland to 60, according to the company. - Lidl currently employs almost 1,500 people in Northern Ireland and says the new stores could create nearly 1,000 additional jobs. - The company has previously announced a £31 million investment in the north-west of the province. - Lidl stated the programme is dependent on planning approval and noted delays affect development, with one site awaiting approval for almost seven years. - The Department for Infrastructure told UTV that consideration of the application is in its final stages and a decision will be taken as soon as possible. Summary: If approved, the announced investment would expand Lidl's retail presence and increase employment across Northern Ireland through to 2032. The programme remains conditional on planning decisions, and officials have said a long-delayed application is in its final stages.