It has been reported that an Bord Pleanála has rejected plans from Lidl for a second store in Ennis.
According to the Irish Independent, the German discount chain had been given permission from the Clare County Council for the proposed store, but the representative body for independent retailers, RGDATA, appealed the decision.
Lidl has seen similar plans turned down for stores in Galway and Cork.
Impacting Town Vitality
RGDATA claimed that such a large-scale development in such an out-of-town location would pull people from the pre-existing stores in the town centre.
The proposal was then brought before an Bord Planála.
The board agreed that it would create a counter-attraction to the existing town centre services, which would, in turn, impact the vitality and vibrancy of the town.
The appeals board said that it was not convinced that the retailer could not find a potential site closer to the town centre.
A spokesperson for Lidl said that the group is disappointed with the decision, but that it will continue to strive to expand its store network.
© 2019 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Aidan O’Sullivan. Click sign-up to subscribe to Checkout.
