New Lidl supermarket in Wolverhampton granted alcohol licence
A proposed new Lidl supermarket in Wolverhampton has been given permission to sell alcohol after public health officials withdrew their concerns.
Supermarket chain Lidl is opening a new store on the site of the former Gills sausage factory and abattoir in Parkfield Road, Wolverhampton.
An application for a licence to sell alcohol between 7am and 11pm from the new supermarket was decided by the council’s licensing committee on January 8.
The city’s public health officials had raised concerns over the sale of super-strength alcohol but later withdrew their objection after taking legal advice.
Public health officials said they wanted to ensure that cans of super-strength alcohol were not sold individually and could only be bought in packs of four – given Wolverhampton had one of the highest alcohol-specific mortality rates in the country.
Lidl had agreed the conditions of the licence, which included CCTV and staff training over the sale of alcohol to children, with West Midlands Police and the council’s licensing officers after concerns were raised.
City of Wolverhampton Council gave permission to Lidl to build a new store and 17 new homes on the site of the former abattoir in October.
The local authority approved plans to demolish the former meat wholesaler’s factory on the edge of Birmingham New Road and Parkfield Road last month.
The demolition will make way for the supermarket and a 110-space car park.
Plans for a mix of up to 17 one-to-four-bed homes were also included in the planning application submitted by Lidl.
The supermarket would also bring 40 new jobs.
The site was previously occupied by FA Gills as an abattoir and sausage factory but the business was sold in 2023 and operations ceased.
A statement included with Lidl’s planning application said: “The development will bring a vacant parcel of brownfield land into active use, remediate the site, provide local job opportunities, affordable housing and bring inward investment to the area.
“The new foodstore will provide a fit for purpose facility for Lidl with a contemporary, well-designed approach which is environmentally sound.
“The provision of up to 17 dwellings will provide affordable and family housing in a residential area and sustainable location.”
