Bridgwater gets a brand new Lidl as supermarket plans are approved

A new Lidl supermarket is set to bring up to 40 jobs to the southern outskirts of Bridgwater after Somerset Council approved plans for its construction near the M5. Submitted by Lidl GB Ltd. in January 2024, the proposal for a store on Carnival Way within the Bridgwater Gateway development—slated to include nearly 500 homes and commercial spaces close to junction 24—gained approval following nearly a year of consultations. Work could start before 2025, accelerating the addition of a pedestrian crossing over Wilstock Way to improve safety and connectivity between new residences and local amenities via the Wilstock and Stockmoor Country Park.

The supermarket will rise on the southern side of Carnival Way, east of the existing Costa Coffee drive-thru—where Domino’s Pizza and Greggs also plan outlets—and south of industrial units greenlit in May 2023. It will feature 105 parking spaces accessed from Carnival Way, including six for accessibility, nine for parents with children, two electric vehicle charging points, and 12 motorcycle spots. Pedestrian routes will tie into the existing walking and cycling paths along Carnival Way and the A38 Taunton Road.

Lidl has also pledged £31,200 toward a signal-controlled crossing on Wilstock Way, linking the Wilstock and Stockmoor estates to the A38. This will offer safe passage for residents of both areas and future Bridgwater Gateway homeowners to reach the store and nearby Somerset Bridge Primary School without navigating heavy traffic. Dan Templeton of Planning Potential, representing Lidl, clarified that while the company can’t directly build the crossing, its financial contribution—secured via a Section 106 agreement—will fund Somerset Council’s highways team to implement it as part of broader local upgrades.

This isn’t Lidl’s first effort to enhance local infrastructure; the retailer recently supported an extension to the Strawberry Line active travel route for its new Wells store on A39 Strawberry Way, which opened in late January. The Bridgwater project bypassed a public vote by the council’s planning committee north, instead receiving approval through delegated officer powers. Construction is expected to kick off later this year, marking a boost for employment and accessibility in the area.

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