Supermarket leap

Site of the new supermarket

THE Lidl supermarket chain is to open a new branch in Royton centre.

Oldham Council Cabinet last night agreed to sell council-owned land - currently King Street car park - for the construction of a 25,000 sq ft supermarket in High Street.

Proposals also include a 100-space car park for the store, which could generate 25 jobs. Subject to approvals, the store could be open by early 2016.

Planning permission for a retail development was granted in 2013 as par of plans to redevelop the former assembly hall site and some existing shops in the precinct.

Plans hit a bump in early 2014 after Brookwide Ltd, which owned large parts of the precinct, went into administration. New owners continued the existing plans

Oldham Council leader Jim McMahon said: “Regeneration is long overdue within Royton’s district centre. We hope residents will be pleased we are close to reaching an agreement with a large, well-known retailer. We’re all working hard to push the scheme forward and create a busy and fresh-looking town for the community.”

The news has also been welcomed by Royton councillors. Bernard Judge of Royton North, said: “This can only be good for improving shoppers’ choice.”