CREDITON’S new Lidl supermarket has opened for business.

Crediton Rugby Club Chairman Liz Goodman cut the ribbon with some of the U15s and Deputy Mayor Steve Huxtable to officially open the new store on Commercial Road on Thursday, March 20.

It had been due to welcome shoppers on Thursday, February 6, but was delayed due to a minor planning error, according to a local councillor.

Planning permission for the new 1,256-square-metre store was granted in September 2022.

It has been built on part of The Rec, the playing fields owned by Queen Elizabeth’s Education Foundation, for which it paid £800,000.

Planning conditions included a payment of £87,289 to assist with the flow of traffic through the Western Gateway, St Lawrence Green and the High Street to address air quality within the Crediton Air Quality Management Area.

Lidl has also paid £400,000 to help relocate Crediton Rugby Club and £100,000 to Devon County Council to provide a zebra crossing on Commercial Road.

The supermarket’s opening hours are 8am to 10pm from Monday to Saturday, and 10am to 4pm on Sundays.

It has an in-store bakery, a “Middle of Lidl” aisle of assorted household goods, and customer facilities such as toilets with baby-changing stations.

Outside, it has 114 parking spaces, two electric vehicle charging points and 12 bicycle parking spaces.

“Commercial Road is an ideal location for us to provide top-class convenience for residents, meaning they’ll no longer need to travel to Exeter to access our offering – saving both time and fuel,” said Lidl GB Regional Head of Property Rosie Meehan.

“This project has been a true team effort, and we’re proud to bring our best-value offering to the community.

“We look forward to welcoming shoppers through our doors in the coming weeks.”

Lidl says the store will create around 40 new jobs for the local economy.