SUPERMARKET giant Lidl has confirmed its second store in Christchurch will open for the first time next week.

The store, at Christchurch Retail Park in Bailey Drive, will open its doors to customers on Thursday August 26.

The store will create around 40 new jobs for the local community and will have a sales area of 1,103m² and feature facilities including an in-store bakery, customer toilets and ample parking for both cars and bicycles.

It will be open between 7am and 10pm Monday to Saturday, and 10am to 4pm on Sunday.

Lidl's regional head of property James Mitchell said: “We would like to thank all those who have played a part in bringing this highly anticipated Lidl store to Christchurch.

“It is great for us to be able to create more jobs and investment opportunities in the area, and we can’t wait to start serving our multi-award-winning products to the local community.”

The new store will provide surplus produce and customer donations to local charities, including The Charitable Emporium and Boscombe Salvation Army Meal Run, who work to redistribute surplus food to those most vulnerable in the local community.

Customer donations will also be provided to Townsend Community Fridge who share good food with those in need.

This is delivered through Lidl’s Feed it Back scheme, which is run in partnership with Neighbourly and connects Lidl stores up and down the country with local charities, foodbanks, community cafes and kitchens, putting quality food surplus to good use every day.

Fergus Egan, partner at Orchard Street Investment Management, which owns and manages the retail park, said: “The delivery of Lidl’s second store in Christchurch will further diversify and strengthen the retail park’s offering, with the addition of a grocery store widening its appeal to local customers.

“The job creation and investment into the town is a real positive for the Christchurch community, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with Lidl going forwards.”