The first ground has been broken on a project to bring a discount supermarket to Dundee’s ring road.
German store chain Lidl’s new Kingsway East store will open next spring, creating 40 full and part-time jobs.
The plans for the Lidl, together with an associated retail development called the New Craigie Retail Park, were narrowly approved by councillors in June 2017.
Developers have had to navigate through 23 strict conditions slapped on the development by city planners, who had recommended that the plans be refused.
Gordon Rafferty, Lidl’s regional head of property in the UK, said: “We are extremely grateful for all the support that we have received so far, and would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding while we enter this next phase of the development.”
The Craigie development is being created with the input of Perth-based developers I&H Brown.
The Tayside property firm says the site start with Lidl is a “key milestone” in the development. Other additions to the site include a Screwfix trade counter and a drive-thru coffee shop – initially teased as a Costa but with no operator yet confirmed.
© DC Thomson
A spokesman for I&H Brown said: “The former industrial site will be regenerated and once more supply employment in Dundee, creating a potential total of 170 additional jobs.
“We acknowledge the assistance of the local community in making this development a reality.”
In 2017, Lidl and I&H Brown held a public meeting at the Brooksbank Centre, where local residents welcomed Lidl’s competitive prices.
Parts of the East End have some of the highest levels of poverty in Dundee – more than nine in 10 of households in Linlathen are in areas considered among the most deprived in Scotland.
The city has become a target market for discounters, with competitor Aldi’s Myrekirk store close to completion. Aldi also has plans for two more Dundee stores.
