Lidl Northern Ireland has expressed “serious concerns” over the potential block of its new store at Crescent Link in Derry~Londonderry by Tesco, warning that this could jeopardise more than 30 permanent local jobs and prevent significant costs savings on the weekly shop for families and households in the region when they need them most.
In June this year, Lidl welcomed ministerial approval of its proposed new store at Crescent Link following a protracted planning process spanning more than six years. The discount retailer said the much-awaited approval of its second store in the city represented an important step towards delivering market-leading value and quality for local shoppers, alongside new employment opportunities and wider economic benefits in an area where demand for its offering is exceptionally high.
Independent research conducted by Customer Perceptions in November 2025 demonstrates significant local demand for expanded Lidl stores in Derry~Londonderry. The findings revealed that 93% of local respondents agreed that a city the size of Derry~Londonderry should have more than one Lidl store, 90% already shopped at Lidl’s current store at Buncrana Road/Springtown Road, with 95% agreeing they would shop at a Lidl store closer to their home were it available.
Gordon Cruikshanks, Regional Managing Director, Lidl Northern Ireland explained: “Derry~Londonderry is one of Lidl’s strongest performing locations in Northern Ireland, with our existing store in the city at Buncrana Road/Springtown Road consistently recording the highest footfall of our entire store network in the region. Lidl Buncrana/Springtown Road is also among our best performing stores across the wider island of Ireland.
Underpinned by this demand, in December 2025 Lidl Northern Ireland announced its ambition to invest £31 million in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area over the next five years - including a £10 million investment in its new Crescent Link store. The investment will see the retailer expand its footprint in the region by a further three stores, creating more than new 100 jobs in-store and sustaining more than 500 jobs throughout the construction phases.
Mr Cruikshanks continued: “We are extremely concerned to learn of Tesco’s plans to attempt to hinder Lidl’s expansions in Derry~Londonderry through a judicial review process, just as we set to commence construction of the long-awaited new store at Crescent Link.
“Our plans for Crescent Link received an incredible amount of support from the local community, and we know that many people will share our disappointment with these latest developments. Lidl exists to provide households with access to good quality food at best value prices, and it is regrettable that a large business such as Tesco is weaponising the planning system in this way to try to block the new store which ultimately deprives local customers of choice and value.”
Lidl said that having increased supermarket choice in Derry~Londonderry is of “huge benefit” to local households, helping them to keep the cost of their shopping down at a time when inflationary pressures are greater than ever.
Mr Cruikshanks concluded: “Tesco will claim that their objections are based on material planning considerations, however, should their request to quash the planning permission be successful, it will benefit no one else but Tesco - and certainly not households and families in the North West.
“This needless action by Tesco jeopardises the significant benefits that Lidl can bring to the local community. Alongside this increased consumer choice and competition, and access to the highest quality produce at market-leading value when customers need it most, these include the creation of more than 30 permanent jobs at the new store and 200 construction jobs during its development, and new opportunities for local suppliers.
“In spite of this uncalled-for challenge by Tesco, Lidl’s long-term commitment to the Derry City and Strabane District remains stronger than ever. We will continue to engage proactively with the stakeholders to address any challenges which needlessly extend the planning process and block private commercial and retail development.”