New Ipswich Lidl at Anglia Retail Park is welcomed

Work is currently underway on the site of the former B&Q garden centre in Anglia Retail Park, and expected to open in the autumn.

David Gardener, who lives in the area, welcomed the development as it would offer more choice to customers.

He said he would appreciate another store, as the frozen food specialist Farmfoods which replaced the former Aldi unit in Meredith Road does not offer great choices for people cooking for one.

Mr Gardener said: "I cannot wait for the new Lidl to be open. I miss the old Aldi on Meredith Road, and Farmfoods is too large for one person.

"It is a long way for me to go down to the Morrisons area to do my food shop. I do not drive so I have to taxi there now.

David Gardener has welcomed the plans (Image: Archant)

"It will be lovely once it's open as I can just get a bus there."

The new store is being built by Ipswich-based company Brooks and Wood next to the Jump In trampoline park.

The shell of the building is due to be handed over to Lidl at the beginning of August, and it is expected to take about two months to fit out so it should be able to open in October.

The chain planned to open its new supermarket at the retail park by Christmas last year after permission was granted in 2022, but an issue was raised about the roof of the building and preparations had to be put on hold.

Construction work has begun at the site. (Image: Paul Geater)

There are also plans to convert the former Carphone Warehouse building at the same site into a Taco Bell restaurant.

The restaurant was due to open in the summer of 2023, but the opening has since been delayed.