BARGAIN giant Lidl has received the green light to demolish its current store in Porthmadog and create a larger shop which would create around 20 extra jobs.

A planning application submitted to Gwynedd Council included demolishing the current Lidl store on Ffordd Penamser and replace it with a £2m replacement store.

Included in the plans will be sales areas measuring 1,424m², 190 car park spaces – up from the current 123 – better staff facilities and in-store bakery.

Around twenty new jobs are also expected to be created and current staff kept on.

The plans were approved during a Gwynedd Council planning committee following a public consultation which was carried out which received an overwhelming response of support for the larger store.

Porthmadog west councillor and chair of Porthmadog Town Council, Selwyn Griffiths, says he welcomed the plans and that it would bring a boost to Porthmadog’s economy.

“I’m very pleased that Lidl are choosing to invest in Porthmadog.

“It’s good news for the local economy that something like this is happening.

“The new store will also provide more parking spaces than the current one which is a big thing for Porthmadog.”

A spokesperson for Lidl said the company was excited about the new developments.

See full story in this week’s Cambrian News