Lidl launches fight over opening hours

Lidl has launched a new battle for longer opening hours at its Wolverhampton store, it emerged today.

The discount giant is appealing against the city council's refusal to allow it to open for an extra hour a day and for longer on bank holidays.

The news comes as it was today revealed the store has been ordered to rip up and replace a raised pedestrian crossing due to problems with its design.

Councillors on the planning committee ruled the extra hours were likely to result in unacceptable levels of noise, light and general disturbance.

The budget retailer launched the supermarket on the site of the former Castlecroft Garage in Finchfield Hill amid widespread opposition from residents, and recently applied the council to vary the trading hours for which it was originally given permission.

It has now lodged an appeal against the local authority's refusal with the Secretary of State. The shop currently opens between 8am and 8pm from Monday to Saturday, and from 10am to 4pm on bank holidays. Bosses want to open until 9pm Monday to Saturday as well as on bank holidays.

Wolverhampton City Council today said contractors working on behalf of Lidl had been forced to go back and replace a new raised pedestrian crossing created in Oak Hill as part of the development.

Spokesman Tim Clark said: "The crossing was paid for by Lidl which was agreed as part of the planning application.

"The Department of Transport sets a height and this was made higher than the regulations of 10cm. There were also concerns about its steep gradient.

"Lidl has contractors which are now putting it right at no cost to the taxpayer."

The shop opened in May, creating around 30 jobs.