SUPERMARKET giant Lidl is setting its sights on a fourth store in Basildon.

The company has confirmed plans for the new store at the junction of Miles Gray Road and Luckyn Lane.

It will be built on a brand new retail park, now named the St Hilary Retail Park, which will consist of six units with 175 car parking spaces.

Demolition has already started and building will start in October/November this year, with completion expected in the second half of 2022.

This will be the giant’s fourth Lidl store in the area, joining supermarkets in Pitsea, Laindon and Mayflower Retail Park.

The leading German chain is also looking at bringing new stores to seven south Essex locations, including Benfleet, Vange, Billericay, Leigh, Rayleigh, Rochford and Wickford.

Pat Rackley, 71, of Devonshire Road, Laindon, said: “This is a definitely a positive thing. Lidl is very popular and in this current climate especially everyone is looking for bargains.

“On top of this, not everyone can afford to shop online. If you’re on a limited income you certainly go to places like Lidl or Aldi.

“But I think why not also put one in the town centre? The last time I went into the town I was amazed at the number of shops that have gone, but I think something like this could encourage people in.”

Read more:

The seven places in south Essex where Lidl has set its sights on opening new shops

Aldi's mass expansion plan will see 9 new stores built in south Essex - here's where

Developers REX Land (Basildon) are behind the plans, with a self storage company set to also be based at the new retail park alongside Lidl, a tile retailer and two cafe/food units.

It comes as Aldi has announced a mass expansion in the county, wanting to build nine new stores in south Essex areas such as Basildon and Shoebury.

Luke Mackenzie, deputy mayor, continued: “I think Lidl have done their homework and will have been able to determine if there is demand for another store. This should create new employment opportunities for our residents and will give people who have been out of work a chance to get a job and steady income.

“They will then be able to spend locally too, so it has a wider effect.

“I myself pop to Lidl every now and again, I either go there or Tesco. It’s great value for money and smaller than some of the bigger supermarkets, so if you don’t want to spend ages looking around it’s quite ideal.

“This is also a good location too, there’s already a supermarket in that vicinity so people go there shopping already and there’s already ample parking too which is fantastic.”