Lidl to open new supermarket in East Stanley at old bus depot

Plans for the food store on Chester Road, East Stanley, were approved by Durham County Council’s planning committee, bringing an end to an uncertain future for the site. 

It was previously a bus depot for the local operator Go North East, dating back to the 1920s, until 2019 when the buildings were demolished and the site was cleared. 

A planning report notes how the new supermarket will improve the current shopping options in the area, as the majority of residents currently shop at nearby branches of Asda and Aldi, with locals also visiting stores in Consett. 

“It is considered that the proposed Lidl store would enhance the retail offer in Stanley which would contribute positively to the vitality and viability of the centre,” a statement from Lidl added. 

“The proposals will have significant benefits for the residents of Stanley by enhancing the retail offer there.

"It will bring a vacant brownfield site back into use, generating a number of benefits in the form of job creation (including temporary jobs during the construction period) and spending in the local economy, biodiversity net gain, and an encouragement of the use of sustainable modes of travel within a sustainable and accessible location and the provision of EV charging bays.”

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Up to 121 car parking spaces will be created as part of the development alongside 40 full-time jobs. Opening hours currently proposed by Lidl are 7am-11pm Monday to Saturday and 10am-4pm on Sundays. 

Councillors approved the planning application and work is due to start on the site later this year.