Lidl issues statement as planning decision finally made for new Laois store

The decision has been made by Laois County Council on a proposed new Lidl in the county.

The planners have approved permission to Lidl Ireland for a "state-of-the-art" supermarket in Mountmellick.

Lidl Ireland has issued a statement where they note the local support, including a petition with over 800 signatures.

They say it will take six months to build and create 30 permanent jobs.

The business development, which involves the acquisition and transformation of the long-derelict Central Garage / Nissan site in the town centre, "marks a major milestone for local residents who have long campaigned for the retailer to establish a presence in the heart of the community" say Lidl.

They say that the development represents a significant investment of more than €6.5 million in the local area.

"The project will also provide a major boost to the local construction sector, with the six-month build phase expected to provide more than 100 jobs, generating over €1.5 million in wages alone. 

"The planning application followed significant local support for the retailer to establish a presence in the town. A public petition, which garnered 804 signatures from local residents, underscored the community's desire for increased shopping choice and the competitive pricing that Lidl offers. Petition creator Laura Prodan encouraged locals to get behind the project, stating “Join us in urging Lidl to consider this not only as a business expansion but as a community investment.”

The planning permission for the new Mountmellick store marks Lidl Ireland's third location in Co. Laois, with other shops in Portlaoise and Portarlington. A new store is also being built in Graiguecullen on the Laois Carlow border.

"This development aligns with the retailer's broader commitment, which involves a €600 million investment to establish 35 new stores across Ireland by 2030," Lidl Ireland says.

"Named Most Sustainable Supermarket and 3rd Most Sustainable Organisation in the Ireland RepTrak® Sustainability Index 2024, Lidl’s new Mountmellick store will be built with sustainability at its core. In line with its award-winning ‘Concept’ store design, prioritising energy efficiency through roof solar PV panels, energy efficient heat pumps and LED lighting, reducing carbon emissions and supporting Lidl’s ambition to achieve net-zero by 2050.

"The new Lidl store will provide customers with an unrivalled shopping experience, with self-service checkouts, customer EV charging spaces, two Deposit Return Scheme machines as well as in-store bakery and off licence," they say.

They note that last year, more than 9,000 meals were donated from its Laois stores to 12 charities across the county through Lidl’s partnership with FoodCloud. In 2025, Lidl employees and shoppers also raised over €1 million for the retailer’s charity partner Family Carers Ireland, smashing their three year fundraising target in the first 12 months. 

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"Lidl continues to be a major driver for the Laois agri-food industry. In 2025 alone, the retailer procured more than €2 million worth of goods and services from 12 Laois-based suppliers and business partners. This investment saw €500,000 worth of Laois-made goods exported to Lidl stores across the globe. Among the key Laois suppliers to benefit is Abbey Farm Foods, one of Lidl Ireland’s longstanding partners supplying the retailer with their premium award-winning preserves for over a decade."

Lidl’s Regional Managing Director for the Newbridge area is Niall Murray.

“As Ireland’s leading discount retailer with a rapidly expanding customer base, we are delighted by the decision from Laois County Council to grant planning permission for our third store in the county. This project is about more than just a new building; by revitalising a long-derelict town centre site, we are delivering a significant economic boost to Mountmellick through job creation and the regeneration of a key local area.

“We are acutely aware that residents are eager for more retail variety and competition. Our new Mountmellick store is designed to provide that essential choice and the best value on the market, while helping drive economic growth and contributing to economic development plans for this growing urban area. This investment is a central part of our development strategy for the region and underscores our confidence in the future of the town.

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“We owe a sincere thank you to the people of Mountmellick for their exceptional support throughout this journey, specifically the 800 plus residents who championed our arrival through the local petition. Their constructive engagement has been a driving force behind this project, and we are fully committed to rewarding that enthusiasm with a state-of-the-art shopping experience and continued investment in local community initiatives.”

Currently, Lidl Ireland directly employs more than 6,000 people across its network of 190 stores, three regional distribution centres, and the Dublin head office.