A “VITAL” supermarket branch is shutting TODAY amid a fresh wave of closures.
The low-cost retailer will close one of its popular stores in London leaving shoppers who fought to save it devastated.
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Loyal customers are bidding farewell to the last branch in Kentish Town after nearly a decade in business.
The affordable supermarket was a staple for shoppers in the local community who will now have to take their basket elsewhere.
The closure comes after a long-fight by residents to keep it open.
A petition was started last month which garnered thousands of signatures from frustrated locals.
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Many have been left heartbroken by the huge loss and said it was vital to cope with the looming cost of living crisis.
One shopper said: “It’s the cheapest food shop in the area and vital to all the shoppers around.”
The departure means money-savers will now have to make their way to the nearest branch in Tottenham Court Road – which is around 10 minutes away.
A loyal customer fumed: “There’s not an alternative that is genuinely affordable in the area. Though small, it has all we need.”
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Another added: “We need this supermarket in our area in these tough times.
“Things are really hard financially for lots of families and Lidl prices means we can feed our families good food.”
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A third slammed: “Put people before profit Lidle, what about your community and older people who cant go far to shop? Be responsible.”
A fourth penned: “It’s a huge asset to the community. I don’t want to pay Co-op prices.”
Lidl staff confirmed the store will roll its shutters for the final time due to a lack of enough profit due to a small customer base.
But people fear the move will now affect the vibrant high street heart of Kentish Town.
Caroline Hill, who chairs the civic group Kentish Town Road Action, said: “It is very sad. It is always rammed. Everyone shops there – it is a classless shop.
“Kentish Town Road is a big arterial through route so it does need double yellow lines and we can understand Lidl’s problems but it is a great pity.
“It may affect the footfall for other shops. We hope another store comes in quickly to take up the empty unit.”
A Lidl spokesman said: “We can confirm that our Kentish Town store will be closing on Sunday 11th February as it is unfortunately no longer fit for purpose.
“Kentish town remains on our site requirements list and our teams are continuing to look for alternative locations in the area.
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“In the meantime, customers can still access our great value products at nearby Lidl stores on Holloway Road and Tottenham Court Road, which are both within two miles.”
The branch is the latest to bite the dust as a huge wave of closures hit the nation.
Which Lidl stores have closed in 2023 and 2024?
Lidl first closed and relocated a few shops in the spring of 2023.
A few closures were due to the poor condition of the buildings and bosses deeming them unfit for purpose, while others came after opening replacement stores elsewhere.
Any workers affected by the changes were offered roles at alternative locations.
The 2023 closures are as follows:
- Drayton Road, Mile Cross – April 30, 2023
- Sturry Road, Canterbury – May 28, 2023
- Forton Road, Gosport – May 28, 2023
- The Quadrant in Redditch town centre – summer 2023
- Barrhead, Glasgow – September 28, 2023
- Beckenham, Bromley – November 2023
Meanwhile, Lidl plans to close further branches across the UK in February and March this year.
These are located in:
- Paignton, Devon – February 4, 2024
- Kentish Town, London – February 11, 2024
- Bradford – February 29, 2024
- Layland, Lancashire – February 29, 2024
- Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees – February 29, 2024
- High Street, Hanham, Bristol – March 1, 2024
