A scheduled hearing on January 8 will determine whether Lidl’s new supermarket in Wolverhampton will be granted a licence to sell alcohol.
The supermarket chain is set to open on the site of the former Gills sausage factory and abattoir on Parkfield Road. Lidl has applied to sell alcohol daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., but the City of Wolverhampton Council’s licensing committee must first consider the application amid concerns raised by public health officials and the local police.
Both the police force and council aim to reach an agreement with Lidl to ensure the licensing objectives are met and that the new licence does not negatively affect the wider community. Licensing officers have stated that Lidl’s application currently lacks sufficient information to fully address their concerns.
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Public health representatives are particularly focused on measures to prevent the individual sale of super-strength alcohol cans, advocating that such products only be sold in four-packs. This recommendation is especially important given Wolverhampton’s notably high alcohol-specific mortality rates compared to other regions.
In October, the council approved Lidl’s planning application to develop the vacant brownfield site, which includes the supermarket, a 110-space car park, and up to 17 new homes ranging from one to four bedrooms. The demolition of the previous meat wholesaler’s factory, which ceased operations after being sold in 2023, has already commenced to make way for the new development.
Lidl’s development is expected to create approximately 40 new jobs and provide affordable housing in a sustainable residential area. The company emphasizes that the project will revitalize the vacant site, support local employment, and deliver an environmentally sound, contemporary food retail facility.