Lidl hits back at Co-op as supermarket war erupts in Dorset

Convenience retailer Co-op has submitted a letter of objection to Dorset Council over Lidl’s proposals to build an entirely new store on a field in Sandford Road, in Sandford, Wareham, at Sibley Pottery roundabout. 

Co-op, which has a store close by in North Street and Sandford Road, said there is “no need for an additional food store in Purbeck”. 

The retailer added the store would be an “inappropriate development” in green belt land and open countryside, claiming Lidl has made “no attempt to demonstrate very special circumstances for the proposed development”. 

Wareham's Co-op in North Street (Image: Google Maps)

Lidl hit back at the Co-op's claims, saying Pegasus [who objected on behalf of the Co-op] are “seeking to cast doubt on the robustness” of the impact assessment to “try and show a much higher impact will fall on the town centre, which could then justify a refusal”. 

It added: “In large part I am sure that this is simply Co-op looking to safeguard their market share from a competitor.” 

Read more: Lidl formally submits plans for a new Dorset supermarket

Read more: Lidl in Bournemouth town centre closes for good

Lidl dismissed Co-op's concerns, saying the Wareham store is trading above their benchmark levels. 

In response to the green belt concerns, Lidl said: “The description of the site as being ‘open countryside’, I think that is not really accurate.  

“The site is outside, but immediately adjoins, the settlement boundary, but it is contained on three sides by built development and on the fourth side by a belt of woodland: it is therefore self-contained and separated from the actual open countryside to the east.” 

CGI of Lidl's Sandford store (Image: One Design Architects)

Meanwhile Wareham St Martin Parish Council objected to Lidl’s proposal, saying it will have a “negative impact” on local shops due the supermarket’s cheaper prices. 

The letter added: “Tourists are attracted to the history, environment and wildlife of the area. Traffic congestion on the A351 will certainly put visitors off so dealing a blow to retail businesses, accommodation units, camping sites and entertainment sites; this could result in the closure of smaller businesses and make the area less attractive.” 

Lidl responded, saying: “Such small-scale convenience stores serve a wholly top-up food shopping function, which is distinctly different to the proposed Lidl which will serve main food shopping needs.  

“That is why little or no trade is expected to be taken from these local shops.”