POOLE is soon to have a 'Lidl of the Future' store as the supermarket chain invests £2m redeveloping the Hatch Pond Road branch.

With a state-of-the-art glass fronted design and the inclusion of customer toilets and self-checkouts, the new store, which replaces an existing Lidl outlet, is one of a raft of new 'concept stores' being rolled out as part of a £1.5bn investment in the UK.

The German discounter is set to open 40-50 stores a year across the country annually and is refurbishing 150 - including the Hatch Pond Road site.

Planning permission for the new look store was granted earlier this year and customers can look forward to a larger sales area of 1,689 square metres, and in store bakery, wider aisles, longer tills and restroom and baby changing facilities. There is also a staff welfare area including offices and toilets on a mezzanine level and a bigger warehouse.

The new-look stores will also include energy efficient LED lighting and Lidl plans to recycle heat from its refrigerators to warm the store so its operations are cheaper and greener than traditional outlets.

Shoppers can also expect more of the deluxe food ranges and revamped wine departments which have characterised the company’s bid to woo more middle class customers.

Lidl UK’s Board Director of Property and Expansion, Ingo Fischer, said: “Along with its cutting edge design, our ‘Lidl of the Future’ concept will also go a step further to streamline processes and maximise efficiency.

"This forms a key part of our business model, which enables us to keep prices low and the quality of our products high."