The plans for Lidl in Penicuik, Imrie Place etc.

Joined : 25 Oct 2007 Posts : 11

Just wondering whether these plans had actually been passed or not?

http://www.midlothianadvertiser.co.uk/news/Broad-backing-for-town-centre.3248366.jp

Any opinions? Good? Bad?

Apparently Aldi have plans for a store too, in Eastfield Drive.

I know a lot of people like these stores, and obviously if they open in Penicuik then those who rely on lifts or public transport etc. to go to Dalkeith or wherever will love it. Personally though, I'm a bit worried it's just turning the town into a bit of a supermarket shrine. Would the Lidls really bring people back to the town centre? Or just to the Lidl car park? I can't imagine it looking exactly pictuesque either. I guess these are minor points.

Joined : 25 Oct 2007 Posts : 11

btw, this doesn't really warrant it's own thread (alledgedly) but what's becoming of the fruit & veg shop beside the royal bank? I saw a notice pinned to the door, so I'm guessing it's going to be filled by something?

Hope it's another Chinese takeaway. We really need another one of those Wink

Admin Joined : 28 Apr 2007 Posts : 260

If it is going to bring some more employment to Penicuik, it must be a good thing. It makes a change from hearing about businesses closing down. However, I have some reservations about the location which seems to be concentrating the supermarkets in such a confined area. This could mean that there will be quite a large increase in the amount of traffic in the area.

Admin Joined : 28 Apr 2007 Posts : 260

Well, now we know. It looks as if it is going to be Aldi and not Lidl http://www.midlothianadvertiser.co.uk/news/Aldi-store-to-create-12.3718839.jp
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Andy

Fear knocks at the door, knowledge answers and finds nothing.

Joined : 22 Aug 2007 Posts : 10

http://www.midlothianadvertiser.co.uk/news/Aldi-to-open-store-in.3701536.jp

I thought Aldi was going down by Tesco. What is happening at Imrie Place?

Admin Joined : 28 Apr 2007 Posts : 260

You're right. The latest article didn't say where Aldi was going to be built and I forgot that Lidl was wanting to build near the town centre.
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Andy

Fear knocks at the door, knowledge answers and finds nothing.

Joined : 12 Feb 2008 Posts : 16

Yes, unfortunately the plans for yet another supermarket have been passed (no thanks to the help of one local councillor, who couldn't even be bothered to turn up to his own surgery! and when we did meet him he pretty much said he couldn't help - thanks!!) I unfortunately stay in Imrie Place and despite all the local residents writing to petition against it as well as setting up a petition with ourselves and the doctors surgery it seems that all of these complaints were ignored! Yet another attempt to regenerate the town. we'll see what happens a years time when the building is sitting empty!

I have to say I think that it is an absolute joke to build another supermaket in Penicuik, do we really need 4 (if Aldi comes too!). It will also have a knock on effect with trying to get parked in Imrie Place as so many people use it as a Park and Ride, lets hope these people get the message and use the new park and ride at Straiton!!

Joined : 01 Sep 2007 Posts : 17

Do you have a problem with trying to regenerate Penicuik, gonzo? I agree that four supermarkets in the town does seem a bit excessive but if they all make money and give people more choice, then why not?
I will reserve judgment until I see whether the new shops in the centre actually go ahead but since the owner applied for building warrant for 11-15 John Street last August and is still waiting for MC to make a decision I wouldn't blame him if he decided that he isn't welcome here and took his money some place else.
Meantime how about we try the posiitive approach for a change?

Incidentally, the alleged car parking spaces for the surgery were never reserved for surgery use; there is space to create at least four more spaces at the back of the building which is their property; I have never seen those spaces full during surgery hours yet.

Joined : 12 Feb 2008 Posts : 16

I dont have a problem with trying to generating Penicuik if its done properly with some decent shops not supermarkets, takeaways and hairdressers!

Joined : 29 Aug 2007 Posts : 55

I see there is a big sign next to the bus terminus in Penicuik from Lidl, "Opening soon". Anyone know when all this work kicks off ?

Joined : 25 Oct 2007 Posts : 11

I'm with Gonza on this one. Supermarkets providing choice for the shopper is all well and good. However, I'm no expert, but Aldi and Lidl's are essentially the same thing. In fact, they are owned by rival brothers I think. The fact that they're going to be at seperate ends of the town doesn't matter an awful lot, since the vast majority of supermarket shoppers are car drivers anyway.

Aesthetically, the buildings are bound to be horrible. Garish yellow signage for a start. Characterless boxes.

Where is the access to the Lidl store coming from?

Somerfields, imo, is a pretty horrific experience anyway. A ghost town shop for large amounts of the time, with limited stock. Would be interesting if Somerfields simply shut up shop if competition in the face of Lidl, on top of Tesco. That's a big space taking the car park into account, and if something imaginative could be done there (would have been a great position for a pool) then that would be some serious regeneration.

Joined : 13 Feb 2008 Posts : 23

Joined : 25 Oct 2007 Posts : 11

Joined : 12 Feb 2008 Posts : 16

Totally agree with Captainspaulding on Somerfield, I have stayed in Imrie Place for 28 years and only go there if I really have to!! Apparently the precinct manager had spoke to local residents and everyone she spoke to said they were happy with the plans, its just a shame that she seems to miss out all of the residents in Imrie Place and most of Penicuik when she done her research.

On the plans that residents received from the Council you will no longer enter Imrie Place car park from Imrie Place. Where the entrance to the car park is at the moment will be sealed off and this is where the back of Lidl will be. As far as we are lead to believe with the entrance being sealed off for Lidl there will be no turning point for people coming in to Imrie Place which will be great until the first ambulance or doctor is trying to get a long to the Health Centre!!

Where the bus terminus is at the moment will be moved, on the orignial plan the bus stop was to be right outside the Health Centre just as you come round the corner but this apparently has not been passed due to road safety issues! and there was to be a roundabout just passed the traffic lights where the bus terminus is at the moment to take you into 'Imrie Place' car park. All the trees are also being dug up along Imrie Place to add more parking to the car park but they are suppose to be being replaced these which is a great shame as it gave us a rather nice outlook but now we will have a rather ugly shop to look at.

They were doing drill tests in the car park just 2/3 weeks ago and work is due to start in the next few weeks. Not quite sure if they are going to be keeping the car park open from the main road when work starts as like I mentioned Lidl is going at the entrance so parking is going to be fun in Imrie Place. Its just unfortunate that they slapped this 4 hour limit on Imrie Place car park as there was never much of a problem parking until they done this.

Admin Joined : 28 Apr 2007 Posts : 260

If they are going to move the bus terminus does this mean that the buses will not be able to turn to go back to Edinburgh any more as they will have nowhere to park?
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Andy

Fear knocks at the door, knowledge answers and finds nothing.