A SUPERMARKET chain has unveiled plans for a new Southampton store that could create up to 40 jobs.

Lidl wants to build the 1,689 square metre shop on land at Obelisk Road, Woolston, which was previously occupied by a Co-op store.

The company says new housing developments in the area will provide customers and it held an open day to canvass existing residents’ opinions.

As previously reported by the Daily Echo, the Co-operative surprised residents when it announced its plans to sell the site in April. 2015.

Jason Gratton, Lidl’s head of property for the south and south east, said more than 500 people came to look at the plans. “It’s been good so far – we’ve had a lot of people asking when we will be open ‘when are you going to open?. People are surprised by the store because others are significantly smaller than the one that is proposed for Woolston.

“We are inviting people to both support and criticise and it’s a refreshing way of interacting with the public.“After today we will update them throughout the planning process.”

February 2017 has been tentatively proposed as an opening date for the shop but Mr Gratton was keen to stress that this is not set in stone.

Lidl already has stores in the city on Bursledon Road, High Street and Shirley Road, as well as in Fareham, Eastleigh, Gosport and Totton.

The company’s history goes back as far as 1930 in Germany and its first UK shop was established in 1994. It now boasts more than 600 outlets across the UK.

concerns over removing trees will Some residents have raised concerns over plans to remove 12 trees that are already at the site, but the company says it will replace these with 19 new semi-mature trees.

But Woolston resident Barbara Harvey, 71, was delighted with the prospect of a new shop. She said: “It’s a great idea – super.

"I would go regularly to it because I go to the one in Thornhill now. I’m looking forward to it.”

Southampton city councillor Warwick Payne said: “I have had nothing but glowing feedback in terms of Lidl.”