Lidl GB has launched an online public consultation on plans for a new store at Church Road North in Wavertree, ahead of submitting a planning application to Liverpool City Council.

This is the fourth new Lidl store planned for Liverpool, as the retailer continues with its investment plans across Great Britain. With sites in Garston, Great Homer Street and Childwall Valley Road all awaiting decisions from the council, Lidl says it aims to enable even more local communities access to its fresh, quality and affordable produce.

The latest multi-million pound investment would see the current dilapidated site redeveloped into a “modern, spacious Lidl store”, which could create around 30 new full and part-time jobs for local people.

The proposals would see a purpose-built, environmentally friendly store replacing the former cinema building previously occupied by Co-op.

The new Lidl store would have a 1,654 sqm gross floor area, and include an in-store bakery, customer toilets and 69 car parking spaces including disabled, parent & child spaces and rapid electric vehicle charging spaces. Dedicated cycle spaces will also be created.

The public are invited to comment on the proposals via a dedicated website and through a leaflet which is being delivered to properties in the area. Residents with questions about the proposals can also call Lidl’s consultation team directly on Freephone 0800 089 0361.

Stuart Jardine, Lidl’s regional head of property, says: “We have exciting plans for Liverpool. A new Lidl store on Church Road North will improve local shopping choice and bring a much needed supermarket back to the centre of Wavertree, following the Co-op’s decision to close last year.

“Following thorough surveys and assessments of the existing building, it is quite clear that it is beyond economic repair. Lidl is proposing to replace the current premises with a unique store to serve the local community, provide jobs and bring life back to this site.”

In August 2020, SAVE Britain’s Heritage launched a listing application to protect the art deco building from future demolition, describing its exterior as an “excellent and increasingly rare example” of the art deco ‘moderne’ style of the 1930s and citing the Abbey’s strong association with The Beatles.

A petition on change.org entitled ‘Save the Abbey Cinema building!’ has been signed almost 4,500 times.

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