Lidl reports ‘overwhelming positive response’ to Athenry plans

Retailer says it received hundreds of emails in support of the project

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Lidl Ireland hosted a virtual community session on Thursday, 7 October, to brief local residents, community leaders and stakeholders on its plans for a new state-of-the-art store in Athenry, which will be delivered working in partnership with the Comer Group.

The event was opened by Minister of State with Responsibility for Disabilities in the Department of Health and Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Anne Rabbitte.

Attendees were shown numerous computer generated images of the development. Meanwhile, Lidl’s property team of Dervla Nash and James Purcell, along with a team of consultants, answered questions on topics such as flooding, environmental impact, accessibility and restoration of the nearby landmark building of Athenry House.

Martin Morrissey, representing the Athenry Traders Group, also addressed those at the event and said the group is “throwing our support behind this development”.

“As traders we believe a development such as this is key to keeping people shopping in Athenry and for bringing new footfall to the town,” Morrissey said. “The presence of Lidl will only add to Athenry’s ability to attract new traders to our town. As a group we welcome the connectivity to Cross Street that is contained in the plan and believe it offers a great opportunity.”

Lidl’s regional property executive Dervla Nash said the team were “blown away” by the public reaction.

“We received hundreds of emails of support from local residents, schools, traders and community groups in the area which we are extremely grateful for,” Nash said.

“We’ve heard clearly from the local community that a Lidl store is desired and needed with many telling us that they drive out of their way to go to our existing stores in Tuam and Oranmore,” she added.

Nash said that Lidl will lodge its plans in the coming weeks and is “hopeful for a positive decision from the local authority so that we can focus on delivering the store that the people of Athenry deserve”.

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