Leading Liverpool property developer, Ion will complete work on their much-anticipated Lime Street development later this year and can reveal some of the retail space has been secured to Lidl – whose store will include facilities such as an in-store bakery.

The regeneration experts are in the final throes of transforming Lime Street as a key gateway area, with a hotel, student accommodation and further retail units – creating a new vision for an area in the city that needed investment. This city-centre store will give workers, residents and commuters the opportunity to access Lidl’s products without visiting an out of town superstore.

Lidl UK has experienced considerable growth over recent years as consumers flock to the supermarket for great value products, of which over two thirds are sourced from Britain – ranging from quality fruit and vegetables to premium wines.

Lidl UK’s Regional Head of Property, Stuart Jardine commented: ‘We are delighted to be opening a new store in the city centre of Liverpool, which marks another milestone in our ambitious store expansion programme. We’ve seen incredible demand for Lidl stores across the country and look forward to offering our quality products and incredible value to shoppers in and around Liverpool City Centre.’

Steve Parry, Managing Director of Ion said: ‘It has always been important to us to reflect the roots of Lime Street through this development. Lime Street was traditionally a street where entertainment married harmoniously with retail. The façade created by Anthony Brown tells the story of the history of the street – from the penny bazaar to the cinemas and the milk bars. We want Lime Street to once again become a street that is busy with life, commerce and entertainment.’

Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson said: ‘I am pleased that the first phase of regeneration in the area is almost complete and it is welcome news that a mix of new retail and leisure facilities will soon be available. Not only is this an important economic boost, the development adds a new vibrancy as well as a new lease of life to this crucial part of the city centre.’

The Lime Street development is set for completion in September 2018. A 6,500 square-foot unit has been let to a pub and restaurant operator who will be named shortly. There is strong interest in the remaining 2,000 square-foot unit.

Liverpool City Council has recently appointed a team to develop a Spatial Regeneration Framework for the Lime Street gateway into the City’s Knowledge Quarter to build on the work carried out by Ion.