Lidl thanks Monksland community for 'overwhelming' support

Lidl Ireland has thanked the local community for their "overwhelming and ongoing support" for its planned supermarket in Monksland.

In a statement this morning, Tuesday, Lidl said its decision to appeal Roscommon County Council’s recent planning decision to refuse permission for a store reaffirmed its "commitment to delivering a new, state-of-the-art store for the Monksland and wider Athlone community".

"The proposed development represents a significant investment in the local area, designed to bring Lidl’s market-leading quality and unbeatable value to the local community," it said.

The company said it remained "fully committed to working through the planning process to ensure the community gains access to enhanced shopping choice, local job creation and modern infrastructure as swiftly as possible".

Speaking about the proposed store, Robert Ryan, Chief Executive Officer of Lidl Ireland & Northern Ireland, commented: “We are deeply committed to opening a new, state-of-the-art store in Monksland to serve the growing needs of the wider Athlone community. While naturally we are disappointed by the initial planning decision, we have submitted a comprehensive appeal to ensure we can deliver our market-leading quality and value to local shoppers as soon as possible. We extend our sincere thanks to the community of Monksland for their overwhelming and ongoing support throughout our application. We’re committed to working diligently through the next stages of the planning process and welcoming local shoppers through our doors in due course.

"The planned location aims to provide a modern, sustainable retail experience equipped with energy-efficient technologies, ample parking and convenient access for surrounding residential areas," the statement concluded.