A new Lidl supermarket in Thornbury is scheduled to open on Thursday 30 July, bringing a large-format discounter to Midland Way in South Gloucestershire. The chain has confirmed a community ribbon-cutting at 8am on opening day, followed by in-store food sampling and prize giveaways.
Opening hours, facilities and transport
The new store will operate with extended hours through the week and at the weekend. Daily opening times published ahead of the launch are set out below.
| Day | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| Monday–Saturday | 08:00–22:00 |
| Sunday | 10:00–16:00 |
Customer amenities will include an in-store bakery, Lidl’s distinctive aisles offer, and toilets with baby-changing facilities. The site will provide what the retailer describes as ample parking for both cars and bicycles and will feature rapid electric vehicle (EV) chargers on the forecourt.
Site redevelopment and environmental measures
The new supermarket represents the conversion of a former warehouse site into what Lidl calls a multimillion-pound investment in the local area. The retailer has confirmed some of the store’s power will be supplied by solar panels on the roof as part of its measures to reduce carbon emissions.
Community engagement and surplus food redistribution
Lidl has outlined plans to work with local charities and foodbanks through its nationwide redistribution network. The store will partner with Neighbourly to redistribute surplus food to vetted community groups using the firm’s Feed It Back system.
- Surplus food will be redistributed locally via Feed It Back.
- Local schools are being invited to take part in the Lidl Foodies programme to promote healthy eating.
- Teachers can register for Lidl Foodies and access workshop plans via the National Schools Partnership; registration is available at tinyurl.com/2b3myxd9.
The retailer said the Thornbury store will allow shoppers to access its particular offering locally. In its statement Lidl added:
“Lidl was recently named the UK’s fifth-largest supermarket as more and more shoppers vote with their feet and flock to the discounter.”
The opening will also include complimentary food sampling and competitions on the day, as the store seeks to attract customers from across South Gloucestershire. The addition of on-site EV charging and solar generation is consistent with wider trends among national chains to combine convenience retailing with low-carbon measures.
Residents and local groups are likely to watch how the store integrates into the town’s retail mix and whether the site’s redevelopment brings further investment to the Midland Way area. The new Lidl is immediately notable for the scale of the project and its stated links with local charities and schools.
