Laois town petitions for Lidl supermarket green light

Several hundred people have signed a petition to get a Lidl approved for a Laois town.

Lidl Ireland GmbH is in the midst of a planning application to build a new supermarket in Mountmellick.

They are buying up a long derelict site in the town centre, and say they will add jobs and shopping choice to the thousands of people living in and around Mountmellick.

The plan to Laois County Council has been put on hold while the council ask for further information on several issues raised in submissions.

In response to the delay, the community have launched a petition on change.org to plead for the supermarket. 

Petition creator Laura Prodan says "join us in urging Lidl to consider this not only as a business expansion but as a community investment".

"In Mountmellick, County Laois, many of us face daily challenges due to the lack of competitive grocery shopping options. Our community has been eagerly waiting for Lidl to go ahead with opening a store here, a step that is not just about shopping convenience but about revitalizing our local economy.

"For too long, we've had to travel to neighboring towns for affordable groceries, which drains our community of resources and redirects money that could be contributing to our local economy. When we shop elsewhere, we are indirectly supporting the economy of another town while our own struggles to flourish. The opening of a Lidl store in Mountmellick would ensure that the money spent stays within our town, promoting growth and stability.

"Moreover, the potential job opportunities that a new Lidl store would generate cannot be underestimated. Our town needs employment opportunities. This would provide jobs to local residents, reducing unemployment and providing steady incomes which, in turn, boosts the local economy further.

"Mountmellick deserves to grow and thrive. With a strong community presence, an operational Lidl can serve as a cornerstone, improving access to high-quality products at competitive prices and fostering economic development. The positive ripple effects of this development are vast.

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"Sign this petition to make Lidl in Mountmellick a reality, investing in our future, creating jobs, and keeping our money local. Let your voice be heard," Ms Prodan says.

While the petition cannot be submitted for consideration by Laois County Council planners while making their decision, as that deadline closed in July, it has received nearly 300 signatures so far since it launched six days ago in early August. View the petition here.