Lidl launch plans for large-scale supermarket and restaurant in Westmeath

Lidl has proposed a large-scale supermarket and restaurant development on a three-acre site in Monksland, Athlone, near the R362 and south of the Joe Duffy Volvo showroom. The plan includes a single-storey discount foodstore with an off-licence covering almost 2,500 sq m. Lidl also intends to add a café/restaurant with a sheltered outdoor seating area and a second retail unit. Local authority approval is sought for a plaza area between the supermarket and café/restaurant to improve the site’s appearance. The proposal includes a new vehicle entrance, electrical vehicle charging points, a taxi setdown area, cycle stands, and landscaping works. A site notice was erected and a decision is expected by the end of July.

"The proposed development has been earmarked at a three acre site in Monksland just off the town's R362 and south of the Joe Duffy Volvo showroom. The plans, which have yet to be formally posted on Roscommon County Council's planning site, involve the construction of a single storey "discount foodstore" with an off licence spanning almost 2,500 sq m."

"In a further addition to those plans, Lidl bosses have included designs for a café/restaurant together with a sheltered outdoor seating area as well as a second retail unit. In a bid to enhance the all-round aesthetics of the planned development, local authority chiefs have been asked to rule upon a proposed plaza area between the planned supermarket and cafè/restaurant."

"Prospective customers will, subject to planning, be provided with a new entrance for cars and other vehicles. To that end, Lidl officials have also included provision for electrical vehicle charging points, a taxi setdown area, cycle stands and other landscaping works. A notice outlining the planned development was erected at the proposed site on Friday ahead of a formal application being tabled over the coming days."

Read at Irish Independent