Lidl gets go-ahead for new London headquarters

Discount supermarket chain Lidl has been given the green light to build a new £70M London headquarters.

The German firm has been granted permission by Kingston Council to relocate its head office across south-west London to Tolworth.

The company moved into its current headquarters in Wimbledon back in 1998, but said it had now outgrown the site and the move was crucial to support its 19,000 employees and create more jobs across the UK.

A final decision to rubber stamp the development is expected to be made by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan soon, with the company hopeful the site will be ready before 2020.

Lidl UK Board Director for Expansion and Development Ingo Fischer said: “We have worked very closely with Kingston’s planning officers since July 2015 and are greatly encouraged by the committee’s resolution to grant planning consent.

“Our new headquarters not only signify an investment in our own infrastructure and workforce, but also highlight our wider investment ambitions within London as Lidl UK continues to experience incredible growth.

“Once the planning commitments have been agreed with Kingston, the consent will be referred to the Mayor’s Office to be concluded.

“We hope to receive the Mayor of London’s feedback and to progress with the plans early in the new year.”