New West Lothian Lidl store gets alcohol licence a year before opening

A new Lidl store in Craigshill has been granted a provisional licence to sell alcohol.

West Lothian Licensing Board heard this week that the new store is expected to be open for business by the end of October next year.

Lawyers for the supermarket said the new supermarket would create the equivalent of 40 full time jobs.

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The Board heard that the site of the new supermarket- 1 Almond Road- was formerly a car showroom. It has now been cleared and preparatory building work is under way.

Clerk to the Board Gary McMullen told the meeting there had been no objections or adverse comments to the application for a provisional licence.

An agent for the chain which has premises on Alderstone Road in the town close to the Livingston FC stadium, told the Board: “You may have seen that work has started. The initial stages are now under way. Al being well, the projected opening date is the end of October next year and the expectation is that the supermarket will create the equivalent of 40 full time jobs.

“This is an additional facility very much aimed at servicing local residents of Craigshill and Mid and East Calder. The proposal is for a supermarket with 63.5sqm all year round for alcohol display and we seek an additional facility around Christmas time and that will then be taken away.

“It is 5% of the overall sales area all year round and just over 5% with the additional area at Christmas time which is consistent with what they do across the country. Alcohol is displayed in the aisle at the furthest point from the entrance to the premises.”

Councillor Tony Boyle, chairing the meeting of the Board said: “Given there has been no adverse comment or objection I would move that we approve.” Councillors agreed.

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