A supermarket preparing to open its new store near Swindon has revealed huge profits, as customers turn away from other existing supermarkets.
New figures show German discount supermarket Lidl's sales have skyrocketed to £11.7 billion, a jump of 7.9 per cent compared to the previous year.
In light of the profits, Lidl bosses have now confirmed they plan to keep opening more stores, including a new Lidl store and country park set to open in early 2026 in Royal Wootton Bassett.
However, the news of Lidl's success is worrying news for some high street businesses, who are concerned about footfall being drawn away from other town centre businesses.
Construction of the supermarket, just outside of Swindon, has been highly controversial since plans were first submitted.
Once complete, the location will include a large supermarket, a 125-space car park with electric vehicle charging, and a 2.15-hectare country park adjacent to the store at Marsh Farm.
Ryan McDonnell, Lidl GB chief executive, told PA news agency that it saw shoppers move to Lidl from a range of its competitors.
“Our gains from customers switching supermarkets are balanced across all our competitors,” he said.
“We have been focused on delivering low prices and high quality, and that has been really well received by shoppers.”
The new supermarket will put significant pressure of nearby competitor Aldi, which is located less than a mile from where Royal Wootton Bassett's new Lidl is being built.
One of the major concerns raised by residents and councillors during planning consultations was the proximity of the new supermarket to the town's Aldi.
Others pointed out that the new supermarket could draw away footfall from town centre bakers and butchers.
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Speaking previously, resident Graham Curtis said: "I have not met one person who thought Lidl was a good idea.
"This will be the final nail in Sainsbury’s coffin which will then be the beginning of the end of the High Street."
Linda Willis added: "I prefer the green field. Isn't Aldi, Sainsbury's and Iceland enough for Wootton Bassett?"
An exact opening date for Royal Wootton Bassett's new Lidl has not yet been confirmed, but construction workers have stated they expect to construction to be complete at the end of 2025.
A spokesperson for Tinnelly Construction, also told the Swindon Advertiser: "We will be on site until early 2026.
"For more information, you will have to contact our client Lidl directly."
Before the new store can open, Lidl must complete landscaping of the adjacent country park as part of a condition put in place when plans were approved.
This comes after concerns that the country park was just a way to "sweeten up the council" and would never be built.
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