TOWN councillors have said the opening of the town's second Lidl store will be a “great addition to west Christchurch”.

The new supermarket will open at Christchurch Retail Park, in Bailey Drive on Thursday, August 26.

The opening of the second Lidl store in Christchurch is part of the company’s ongoing £1.3bn expansion and regeneration plans across the UK over the next two years.

The store, which has a sales area of 1,103m² will also create around 40 new jobs for the local community.

Chairman of the Christchurch Town Council Planning and Regulatory Committee and Priory ward councillor Michael Tarling said: “The opening of the new Lidl at the Christchurch Retail Park is a great addition to west Christchurch and will serve the residents of Portfield and Jumpers in an area which is currently under served by a larger grocery store.

“It also fits in well with future transport strategies and climate change enabling those residents who can’t or don’t want to drive to get groceries locally.

“It will also provide additional work opportunities locally.”

The store will be open between 7am and 10pm Monday to Saturday, and from 10am to 4pm on Sundays.