Lidl Ireland tightlipped on plans for new Laois store

Lidl is believed to be considering opening a store in Mountmellick town centre in Laois.

The German based discount supermarket chain is refusing to deny or confirm the purchase of a vacant premises that has long been a source of concern in the town. 

The Leinster Express / Laois Live understands that the vacant, near derelict Central Garage on Emmett Street is being purchased by Lidl Ireland.

It is understood that talks are now underway with the local authority on the possibility of demolishing it and building a new supermarket. It would be Lidl's third store in Laois, with a recently rebuilt large Lidl in Portlaoise and another in Portarlington.

When asked to confirm the news, Lidl Ireland gave a non-committal statement to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

“We don’t have an update to share at this time,” a spokesperson said.

The large site fronts onto the N80 road to Tullamore. The once thriving Mountmellick Nissan garage was liquidated in 2011 after 46 years, and the empty property become a centre for anti social behaviour, with doors and windows smashed, and the interior trashed, before it was boarded up in 2014. 

The former Central Garage site including the four vacant houses in Mountmellick.  Photo: Leinster Express

The site stretches back to Twomey Terrace housing estate, and includes three houses, two showrooms and two workshops. A well known landmark on the N80 road, its boarded up windows are painted with murals on behalf of Mountmellick Tidy Towns.

Laois County Council placed it on the Derelict Sites List twice over the years, removing it after the front was cleaned up. The council replaced disintegrating hoarding on the gate in 2023 with metal sheeting out of its own funds.

Mountmellick Tidy Towns expressed hope at that time that it would soon be redeveloped.

"Hopefully it will not be another 10 years before we see development taking place. Whether its for business or housing, we have no preference, just that something happens and it's not left for another 10 years the way it was. The homeowners either side of the garage are worried for their properties, and we back them on that. It is in a great spot for development. It's a huge area with huge potential. Touch wood something will happen," the chairperson Maura Reddin had said in 2023.

The first Lidl Ireland stores opened in the year 2000 and the company now has more than 180 stores, 3 regional distribution centres and employs more than 6,000 people in the Republic of Ireland.