BUDGET supermarket Lidl is planning to open a new store in Bournemouth, a stone’s throw from the town’s big Asda.

The German-based retailer has submitted a planning application for the Holdenhurst Road premises currently occupied by Office Outlet.

In its planning application, the supermarket’s architect One Design says: “Whilst there is a range and choice of supermarket stores in close proximity to Bournemouth, both in terms of size and retail offer, this current proposal to invest in Bournemouth and provide a new discount store should be welcomed as representing a further improvement in the town’s retail offer.”

Although the premises is already in retail use, Lidl needs permission to alter the building and to lift a condition that bans the sale of food.

East Cliff and Springbourne councillor David Kelsey said: “A bit of competition for Asda is no bad thing and if it brings more jobs to the area as well, that’s a good thing.”

After he drew residents’ attention to the application via Facebook, several raised concerns about access to the site from Holdenhurst Road.

Cllr Kelsey said: “I don’t see a major problem but I probably share the concerns about the traffic side of it. There are only 90 parking spaces.”

He said it might be better to create an entrance on Wellington Road rather than Holdenhurst Road.

Office Outlet , formerly Staples, intends to move out of its building and Cllr Kelsey said he understood it was looking for a smaller shop in Bournemouth.

The branch of Halfords next door is staying.

Lidl and its fellow German supermarket Aldi have been growing rapidly in recent years while other supermarkets have seen their market share shrink. Lidl has more than 10,000 shops in 27 countries.

The statement by the architects says: “Trading from a simple internal layout and with very familiar merchandising formats in every store, Lidl guarantees continuity for customers nationwide. They can generally expect to find the same products in the same places in each and every store.

“The ‘no frills’ policy means that products are often displayed in their original packaging, transferring direct from suppliers to distribution centres and into stores.

“This minimalist approach increases productivity with the savings being passed on to the customer.”

Last year, Lidl won approval to expand its food shop at Ringwood Road, Bournemouth, despite a dispute over its plan to demolish Royal Mail’s Winton delivery office on the site.

Meanwhile, rival Aldi plans to build a new shop on the former Parrs Confectionery site in Alder Road, Poole.