IT’S become a big draw for British shoppers in recent years – and now Lidl has opened its latest “new generation store” in Basingstoke.

The rapidly growing German discount retailer, which has around 600 stores across the UK, has just opened its latest store at Gaston’s Wood, on the Reading Road, close to Chineham Park.

Eager shoppers waited patiently at 8am while the Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane Councillor Dan Putty did the ribbon-cutting honours, officially opening the supermarket.

Cllr Putty said: “It’s a great and sound investment by Lidl in our borough. I’m very pleased that Lidl has decided to expand and invest in the borough, especially here which has a growing population customer base.

“The local residents will be well-served with quality produce every day.”

Sales operations manager Alistair Duncan is very pleased with the new store and its location.

He said: “It’s the first store in this region to have a full bakery, with everything from fresh continental breads, to muffins, cookies and croissants, at really good prices.”

Mr Duncan said there are also plans to open a bakery at Lidl’s South Ham store.

He said the rise of the discount supermarket has had a positive impact for UK consumers.

“The way Lidl has moved and progressed is proving to be more and more popular, as customers look for ways they can save money,” said Mr Duncan.

“What we offer is high-value own brand products at low prices and we do that through economies of scale and buying power.”

Lidl has stores in 27 countries, having entered the UK market in 1994.

“We’ve grown very fast and we’re constantly growing – we now have over 600 stores in the UK,” said Mr Duncan.

District manger Matthew Sweeney, who is also responsible for the Lidl store, in South Ham, thought the number of early bird shoppers bodes well for the new supermarket and the Lidl brand.

“We are very excited about our new store, especially as we are close to the busy Christmas period,” said Matthew.

The opening of the 1,387 square metre store follows that of homewares store Dunelm on the same site.