SHOPPERS have been left pleased with the addition of Basildon’s new big-name supermarket after its grand opening.
German supermarket giant Lidl has opened its fourth store in the borough at the new St Hilary’s retail park, in Miles Gray Road, today (November 9).
At 8am, staff welcomed customers with open arms and those from the events team were handing out free reusable carrier bags to celebrate the occasion.
Basildon resident Mary Olushanu said: “It’s great news for Basildon because it’s giving us another option on where to shop, and it’s bringing more jobs to the area.
“The staff are so friendly, the shop is nice and modern, and the location is just so convenient if you’re wanting to pop into Greggs or use the shops at Pipps Hill, also.
“I’m sure it’s going to do really well.”
Alongside the typical goods, the huge modern site features its famous in-store bakery, which serves sweet doughnuts and chewy, buttery croissants.
In addition, customers will also be able to make use of regular and self-service checkouts, in-store toilet, baby changing facilities, “ample” bike storage and a number of electric vehicle charging spaces.
Alongside the produce, the store has served up around 40 jobs in the area, with new starters set to be the highest paid in the supermarket sector following the discounter’s latest pay rise.
The store opening comes after the closure of Wilko, in Westgate Shopping Park, in Ravensfield, Basildon, on September 14, which was due to administrators PwC failing to secure a rescue deal for the whole business.
Emma McJoyce, a Billericay resident, said: “My friend and I were just driving by and saw that Lidl was open.
“When we went in, the staff were just so lovely and the huge store was full of shoppers, which is fantastic.
“It’s great to see another big-name supermarket open up in Basildon after the closure of Wilko.”
The retail park now features a Lidl, Greggs, Tile and Bathroom Mountain, kitchen store Magnet and Lok’nStore self-storage.
Starbucks is gearing up to send coffee aromas flying in the borough’s new retail park, but it is remaining tight-lipped on an opening date.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article