New Lidl to open in Carlow in time for summer following years-long planning issues

A brand new Lidl store is set to open in Carlow by summer, following years-long planning issues being resolved.

It will open on the Castlecomer road in Graiguecullen on the site of the former National Learning Network Centre.

Plans for the Lidl were first revealed in 2024, but several submissions were received from locals, according to The Nationalist. 

Concerns included traffic congestion and noise pollution.

Extra information was then requested from the developers, and representatives met with those concerned. 

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Following the meetings, small changes were made to the supermarket, but locals were still not satisfied and continued to object. 

Carlow County Council decided to grant permission for the Lidl despite the objections.

Two local residents went to An Bord Pleanála to appeal this decision last year, but it has since been withdrawn.

In a post on Facebook, SDS design engineers highlighted how the new Lidl is being built with sustainability "at its core." 

The post was made roughly a month ago, and at the time, floor slabs were ready to be poured. 

"The new Lidl store will provide customers with an unrivalled shopping experience, with self-service checkouts, customer EV charging spaces, two Deposit Return Scheme machines as well as in-store bakery and off licence," it said. 

The new Lidl will be Carlow town's second, and the county's fourth.