National supermarket chain Lidl UK opens its first store in Bulwell this week, bringing new jobs and new life to a site which has been vacant for almost 20 years.

The store, situated on Jennison Street off Main Street in Bulwell, will be officially opened at 8am on Thursday 22 February, in a ceremony attended by the Lord Mayor of Nottingham, Robin Hood, local councillors and representatives from Lidl UK. The new supermarket forms part of the company’s ongoing expansion and regeneration plans in the UK and has created up to 40 new jobs for the local community.

Unsuitable to develop for housing, the former New Crown Motors site has remained empty since the car sales forecourt closed in 1999. Nottingham City Council helped bring about the purchase of the land by Lidl UK and worked in partnership with Lidl and other agencies to develop the site.

Lidl UK’s Regional Head of Property, Joanne Hawley, commented: “We would like to thank all those who have played a part in bringing this new Lidl store to Bulwell. It is great for us to be able to create more jobs and provide investment in the local area, and we can’t wait to start serving our multi-award winning products to the local community.”

The new Lidl UK store is the latest in a series of improvements to Bulwell. Last year Costa Coffee opened in the town’s former HSBC Bank building on Main Street and regeneration works to the market place were completed, including new street furniture, increasing seating and opening up spaces. This follows Bulwell town centre achieving conservation area status in October 2016.

Nottingham City Council’s ambition to develop neighbourhoods is part of a drive to make the city’s town centres attractive places for people to visit, shop and relax, creating jobs and encouraging investment and growth.

The opening of another big brand name in Bulwell is expected to help contribute towards the vibrancy of the town, bringing new visitors and increased to footfall, helping to further boost the local economy.

Councillor Graham Chapman, Deputy Leader of the City Council said: “The Council has a track record of trying to redevelop unused sites such as the one on Jennison Street. It helps improve the local environment and boost local economies by creating jobs. It is part of Nottingham City Council’s plan to regenerate Bulwell and neighbourhoods by attracting investment and new businesses to the area.”