Retail giants Lidl are planning for a new Ayr store close to the A77.
Bosses at the German supermarket chain are submitting plans for a new outlet on Heathfield Road with the store set to create up to 40 jobs.
The supermarket group have earmarked the former Alexander Sawmills site to build their second store in Ayr after first opening in the town on Allison Street 21 years ago.
The 'sustainable' shopping destination will feature an instore bakery, customer toilet and ample parking for both cars and bicycles.
If approved the new store will rival nearby supermarket giant Asda and will be yards away from the busy retail park at Heathfield.
The application is being brought forward in partnership with a proposal for approximately 100 units of housing.
The application is expected to be submitted in the summer of 2021 to South Ayrshire Council.
Lidl GB’s regional head of property, Gordon Rafferty, said: “We already have one store within South Ayrshire at Allison Street, Ayr, which we opened in 2000 and then fully upgraded and extended in 2018.
"In addition to this existing store, we are now seeking to increase our presence in the area to reach a customer base not currently served by our town centre store.
“Lidl are committed to investing within South Ayrshire and wish to fully engage with the public, however, we do appreciate this is much more difficult in the current climate.
"We are proposing to undertake a thorough and detailed virtual community consultation across the coming months to understand the local needs and opinions as we progress our application.
“This development will substantially improve the surrounding area bringing much needed housing, along with the family friendly supermarket and employment opportunities.
"Employees working at the new store will benefit from Lidl’s competitive pay, with a minimum of £9.50 per hour, higher than the government’s 'National Living Wage', and one of the highest pay rates in the supermarket sector.“
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