Wickes to Split Extra Store with Lidl

Kentonline has confirmed that Budget store Lidl is planned to take part of the Wickes Extra store in Maidstone.

The supermarket will be leaving its current location in The Broadway Centre, Maidstone and joining Wickes a few hundred yards along the road, in its St Peter's Street building.

Maidstone council's planning committee approved a planning application that would allow Wickes and Lidl to share the existing large Wickes Extra building, which would remain as it does now, apart from internal alterations and a new facade. Adam Forsdick, for Lidl, told councillors that the existing Lidl in The Broadway did not provide "The most modern customer experience."

The move would enable Lidl to increase its range as well as facilitating deliveries, which would be all on one level, unlike the existing building, where the retail outlet is on the first floor, with deliveries at ground level.

He said it would also enable the firm to give the staff better facilities. He said all the shop staff were "very excited" about the move and would all be transferring.

It was expected that some additional posts would be created as a result of the move.

Source: Insight DIY & Kentonline

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