Dorchester’S long-awaited Lidl supermarket will be opening its doors to customers next week.

The store on the site of the former Loders Toyota garage was given planning permission in November 2010 but the opening of the store was delayed due to the need for an agreed programme of junction and highways improvements at The Grove.

Dorset County Council has now completed the works and the new Lidl store will be welcoming shoppers on Thursday, May 24.

New county town mayor Andy Canning will be accompanied by fellow town councillor Susie Hosford and Town Crier Alistair Chisholm to officially declare the supermarket open for business.

The store has created 20 new jobs for Dorchester and Coun Canning, who officially takes up the role of mayor next Monday, said he was delighted to be opening the store as one of his first mayoral duties.

He said: “I think it’s important to have a full range of different stores in the town and the more variety we have the better.

“I think it will help draw in more people to the town to do their shopping.”

Coun Canning added that he hoped the junction improvements that had caused the delays to the store opening would benefit everyone in the long run.

He said: “Hopefully it will make that junction a bit safer and get the flow of traffic going better as well as making it better for pedestrians.”

Project director for the Dorchester BID (Business Improvement District) Phil Gordon also welcomed the new store.

He said: “The delays have been frustrating but it’s good to see Lidl are opening their doors and I’m pretty confident it will actually draw a few extra people to the town because the Lidl brand is so well known.”

Mr Gordon added: “Any new jobs in the current backdrop is fantastic news.”

Lidl spokesman Georgina Hall said: “The new Dorchester store not only offers a value for money shopping experience to local residents but it has also created 20 new jobs, which is positive news in the current economic climate.”

She added: “We also wish to thank Dorchester Chamber of Commerce Industry and Tourism, Dorchester Town Council, Dorchester BID and the people of Dorchester for their patience and support during the lengthy delays it has faced during the planning and development process. “We look forward to welcoming our new customers to our brand new store.”

Thank you for patience

DORSET County Council has thanked local residents and motorists for their patience as the highway improvements were installed at The Grove.

The 16-week programme of works started in January and was completed earlier in the month.

The project included adding filter lanes to the junction by the Loders garage as well as strengthening work to the bridge over the River Frome on the road up to Charminster.

Road space manager for Dorset County Council Kevin Cheleda said: “We have now finished the roadworks at The Grove and the area is now ready for the new Lidl store.

“We would like to thank residents and motorists for their patience during the works.”