Work has begun on Lidl's new Edge Hill store at the former Taskers site off Wavertree Road, with demolition now under way. The 23,000 sq. ft. store will include an in-store bakery, middle aisle, customer toilets and baby-changing facilities.
Outside the store, plans include rapid electric-vehicle charging points, covered bicycle parking and dedicated accessible and parent-and-child parking spaces. Solar panels on the roof are expected to generate around 25% of the store's average energy consumption, while the development is expected to create around 40 jobs.
Pub owner's complaints
The Royal Arms pub, which sits next to the development, is not included in the Lidl plans and will remain open. However, owner Chris Davies says he is furious with the way Lidl has handled the project, despite supporting the supermarket coming to the area.
Chris claims residents were sent letters about a demolition application while the pub was closed, leading some to believe Lidl owned the building and planned to knock it down. He also said a Lidl surveyor was unaware the pub was trading and that the building was left unsecured, with the pub owner claiming it took five days for the site to be boarded up.
Asbestos notices and trade impact
Chris, who has run pubs in the area for around 30 years, said he returned from a business trip to find “Stop – asbestos – do not enter” notices placed across his building. He claims the notices and ongoing demolition work have affected trade, with banging and construction leaving the pub shaking and customers staying away.
Chris said he has signed a 10-year lease but believes Lidl has been unwilling to work with him to address his concerns. He fears the pub could become financially unviable as construction continues, saying customers do not want to visit while bulldozers and building work surround the premises.
Lidl's response
Lidl said its new Edge Hill store represents a multi-million-pound investment that will provide greater shopping choice, jobs and regeneration. The company said construction and demolition work is being independently monitored and carried out in line with safety regulations, while insisting it remains committed to addressing concerns raised by neighbours.
Lidl said its plans received strong backing during public consultation, with more than 600 people taking part and 95% supporting the proposals. Supporters said the store would provide greater choice, make weekly shopping more convenient, help regenerate the long-neglected site and offer easier access to a supermarket for people without cars.
