Lidl plans for €200m warehouse in Little Island in Cork could create up to 350 jobs

The German-owned grocery retailer recently submitted an application seeking a seven-year planning permission to build the 59,710 sq m regional distribution centre on part of the former Mitsui Denman Site in Little Island.

The huge centre would initially create between 280 and 300 jobs, according to planning documents seen by the Sunday Independent. However, this figure could rise to 350 over time depending on growth of the wider Lidl store network outside of “what is currently envisaged”.

Lidl told the Sunday Independent the potential distribution centre, which it hopes will come on stream by 2030, is part of a wider €600m investment by Lidl Ireland. The retailer hopes to deliver 35 new stores and the centre over the next five years.

Lidl added that the proposed Little Island distribution hub represents a “significant investment in future-proofing our logistical infrastructure as we advance our ambitious expansion plans across Ireland”.

“The proposed new regional distribution centre is vital to meet the future needs of the business, support expansion and create future employment opportunities,” it said.

Lidl operates 22 stores and employs over 700 people in Cork at the moment. The company said it was committed to increasing its store footprint across Munster and the southeast region, with plans to invest further in its store network.

“Earlier this year, we opened a brand-new store in Ballysimon, Limerick and more recently, cut the ribbon on a newly refurbished and upgraded store at Cornmarket Street, delivering a premier shopping experience for Cork city centre customers.

“Lidl is currently engaging in planning processes for six further stores in the Munster region in counties Limerick, Cork, Kerry, Clare and Waterford.”

The proposed Little Island distribution centre would be in operation 24 hours a day seven days a week, the planning files said.

The operational hours were needed to fulfil Lidl’s “logistical and operational requirements”.

The site’s previous occupant was regarded as one of the best employers in Cork over 20 years ago.

Mitsui Denman, a Japanese-owned chemical group, manufactured chemical compounds and acids for the battery industry on the site. The company decided to shut the plant back in 2003 with the loss of 100 jobs.

Last month, it was reported that Lidl employees in Ireland were to benefit from pay increases averaging 3pc. The retailer claimed the rises, applied from March 1, made it the highest-paying supermarket in the country.

Lidl employs 6,000 people across its Dublin head office, over 180 stores and three regional distribution centres in Mullingar, Charleville and Newbridge.

Lidl traces its roots back to Germany, where it opened its first store in 1973 employing just three people stocking 500 product lines. In the 1980s, the group expanded across the country, opening 300 stores.

In the 1990s, Lidl began opening stores outside Germany, beginning with France before the 1994 opening of its first store in Great Britain.

Lidl opened its first stores in Ireland back in 2000, with outlets in Limerick, Letterkenny, Mullingar, Athlone, Cavan, Ballinasloe and Portlaoise.