Two locations for new shops have emerged in Westhoughton as LIDL press ahead with their plans for a new supermarket.

Residents will already know that LIDL plan to build a new supermarket on the site of the former Greenfields Private Members Club, off Wigan Road (pictured right).

But now two new sites have emerged as possible retail developments – one being the old Gaiety building on Market Street, and the other being the old Glebe Mill and Bolton Road car park behind the library.

It is understood ALDI are interested in the former site. The car park would be moved to the site of the Walter Forshaw yard off King Street, and pedestrian access would be provided to King Street and Library Street.

Councillor Julia Silvester and Parliamentary Candidate Jackie Pearcey look at the Glebe Mill site

The owner of the Gaiety site wants LIDL to move its plans to there, but we understand LIDL don’t agree since they have already bought the land off Wigan Road.

When the Liberal Democrats asked residents what they wanted, most were in favour of LIDL coming to Westhoughton, but over 50 residents were against the idea. But most agree that the town needs more choice.

With the emergence of these potential new sites for retail development, your Liberal Democrat councillors are calling for a public consultation and proper planning before rushing into decisions about each site.

That’s why we encouraged EVERYONE WHO READS THIS to post their comments at the bottom of this article, or you can e-mail privately to focus@westhoughton-libdems.org.uk.

The former club, located at the junction of Wigan Road and Cricketers Way, was going to be demolished to make way for new apartments.

But the plans fell through and LIDL want to open a new store after buying the site. They hope to submit a planning application in February but will first open the idea up to public consultation and launch an open day.

The town is growing in size and still only has two Co-op supermarkets to cater for its population.

Labour councillors have consistently hampered the public’s choice of shopping facilities in Westhoughton. They said NO to plans for a Tesco on Manchester Road, yet only days after the store opened two Labour councillors were spotted in the store.

They opposed plans for the new Sainsbury’s store on Cricketers Way, potentially denying brand new facilities for our local cricket and rugby clubs, as well as losing money for Market Street footpath improvements.

They also:
- Cut the town’s market hall in HALF
- Opposed plans for a new clothing store
- Opposed plans for a new restaurant to replace a betting shop
- Said YES to 3 new estate agents, but only one was established because of the collapse in the housing market.

We’d like to know what you think about the plans for a LIDL store – will this be a good idea for Westhoughton? Post a comment on this news item or e-mail your views to focus@westhoughton-libdems.org.uk.

The club, located at the junction of Wigan Road and Cricketers Way, was going to be demolished to make way for new apartments.But the plans fell through and now it is being suggested that ALDI want to launch a new store on the site.

The town is growing in size and still only has two Co-op supermarkets to cater for its population.

Labour councillors have consistently hampered the public’s choice of shopping facilities in Westhoughton.

They said NO to plans for a Tesco on Manchester Road, yet only days after the store opened two Labour councillors were spotted in the store.

They opposed plans for the new Sainsbury’s store on Cricketers Way, potentially denying brand new facilities for our local cricket and rugby clubs, as well as losing money for Market Street footpath improvements.

They also:

• Cut the town’s market hall in HALF

• Opposed plans for a new clothing store

• Opposed plans for a new restaurant to replace a betting shop

• Said YES to 3 new estate agents, but only one was established because of the collapse in the housing market.