Lidl opens new state-of-the art Limerick store with the creation of 30 jobs

LIDL Ireland opened the doors of its latest Limerick store in Ballysimon this morning, with crowds queuing from early for the opportunity to be the first shoppers to explore the aisles.

Limerick Ladies Gaelic Footballer Yvonne Lee joined the store team this morning to cut the ribbon and officially open the new store, which is the retailer’s sixth store in the county and takes its growing store network to 183 across Ireland.

Along with opening day entertainment and middle aisle offers, queuing customers were given the chance to take part in a lucky dip and win a share of €1,000 worth of shopping vouchers to spend in-store. Tasty in-store product sampling was also featured as part of opening day celebrations. 

Representatives from local charity Milford Hospice were also in attendance to receive a donation of €1,000 in Lidl vouchers from the Ballysimon store team.

As part of the retailer’s ongoing commitment to supporting Ladies’ Gaelic Football, members from local LGFA club Claughaun GAA also received a special donation of Lidl sponsored training jerseys.

Located off the Groody Road, beside Limerick Educate Together Secondary School and the new Bons Secours Hospital which is under construction, the new Lidl store represents the first major retail offering in the area and has created 30 permanent retail jobs for the local community. 

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Reflecting the retailer’s established ‘concept’ design, Lidl Ballysimon features a spacious shop floor with wide aisles, self-service check outs, two Deposit Return Scheme machines, long tills as well as an in-store bakery and off licence. Externally, the store benefits from regenerative landscaping and a spacious customer car park with dedicated EV charging spaces.  

Sustainability is at the fore of the Ballysimon store, with the retailer’s pioneering concept design incorporating an ISO 50001-certified energy management system, high performing energy efficient technologies, dedicated EV charging spaces and PV solar panels to reduce carbon emissions and support Lidl’s ambition to achieving net-zero by 2050.

Commenting at the official opening of the Ballysimon store Lidl Store Manager Shane Porter said: “We’re delighted to finally open the doors to Lidl Ballysimon this morning and welcome customers to experience the brand-new store with wide aisles, self-service check outs and a bakery area with freshly baked breads and pastries, one of Lidl’s most popular features. The local community have been really positive about the new store and today’s turn out shows that.

The team have been working really hard behind the scenes to get the store up and running - We look forward to welcoming shoppers now we are open so local shoppers can now benefit from quality products at market-leading prices.” 

The opening of Lidl’s Ballysimon store represents a major investment for Lidl, both in the local community and in its wider retail estate portfolio continuing the retailer’s ambitious expansion plans. Since its inception, Lidl has been a pillar of the Limerick community since 2000 where it opened its first Limerick store Childers Road, and now has stores at Dock Road, Ennis Road, Newcastlewest, Castletroy and now Ballysimon.

Limerick LGFA player Yvonne Lee said: “I'm delighted to officially open Lidl's newest store in Limerick today. The atmosphere here this morning in Ballysimon has been fantastic. It’s great to see local shoppers out enjoying the new store and picking up the opening day bargains.  It’s a great boost for the area I’d encourage everyone to come down and check out the store.”