SUPERMARKET chain Lidl has announced that it will open its second store in Andover next month.

The store on Columbus Quarter, Walworth Business Park, will welcome customers for the first time on Thursday, September 12.

Shoppers are invited to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 8am and will be offered the chance to sample some of Lidl’s products throughout the day, along with exclusive deals and offers on selected products for the first week of opening.

The new store has created 40 jobs for the community and is part of the company’s ongoing expansion and regeneration plans in Great Britain.

The store has a 1325m² sales area and features facilities such as an in-store bakery, longer-style tills with dual packing, customer toilets, baby changing and ample parking for both cars and bicycles.

Lidl GB’s regional head of property, James Mitchell, said: “We would like to thank all those who have played a part in bringing this new Lidl store to Andover. It is great for us to be able to create more jobs and investment opportunities in the area, and we can’t wait to start serving our multi-award-winning products to the local community.”

The chain currently boasts a store in Western Avenue.

It will join Starbucks, which opened a drive-thru coffee shop in July and Greggs on the site. One further unit is currently under offer.

Work began on the retail development in October 2018 last year and developers Kier Property have completed four units.

The scheme was given the go-ahead in March last year after Test Valley Borough Council announced Kier as development partner for the project.