Lidl planning to open new supermarket in Berwick-upon-Tweed

The budget supermarket will open at Tweedbank Retail Park, but was not yet able to confirm an opening date.

Berwick Chamber of Trade and Commerce chairperson Stephen Scott said: “The proposed opening of Lidl is welcome as it will increase the choice for local residents and for people in the wider area who use Berwick as a place to shop.

“Lidl's position in the market as a low-cost supermarket will also be popular as most people are still struggling with the cost of living crisis.”

Lidl will join Asda and Tesco in opening large supermarkets south of the river, and there is also a Marks and Spencer Foodhall at Tweedbank Retail Park.

Aldi and Morrisons also have existing supermarkets in the north of Berwick, but there are few small supermarkets in the town, particularly in the town centre.

Stephen said: “I have two specific concerns about the provision of supermarkets. First, Berwick has a lot of them, which raises the question of whether yet another one will be sustainable in the long term or whether it could be the trigger for one or more to close.

“Secondly, there is no supermarket in the town centre so, if you live in the town centre, residents are forced to jump in the car or on the bus in order to get daily provisions.

“It would be great to be able to fill this gap, which would also help all town centre businesses.”

Georgina Hill, county councillor for Berwick East ward, said: “I am always pleased to see new retail outlets opening and it will be good to have another one south of the river.

“What would be really great, and I know residents want this, is for a supermarket to open up one of their small, express stores in the town centre.

“I wrote to one this week, who are expanding their smaller store portfolio, to encourage them to consider Berwick.”

Lidl was first established in the UK in 1994 and has over 950 stores and 13 distribution centres in Britain.