Lidl and drive-thru coffee shop on site of Wrexham police station could create up to 60 jobs

Supermarket giants Lidl bought North Wales Police’s landmark Bodhyfryd station in Wrexham town centre earlier this year, proposing to demolish and replace it with a new store, cafe and 151 parking spaces.

A map of the site of Wrexham Police Station

The company has now formally entered a planning application and said the proposals would provide a big economic boost for the town, previously describing it as 'a multi-million pound investment'.

It's estimated that between 25 to 40 staff will be employed in the Lidl store, while up to 20 jobs could be created at the coffee shop.

It comes as the police force prepares to move to a new £21.5 million station on the outskirts of Llay.

The planning document states: "Lidl regards the application site as ideally suited to meet its requirement for a new discount store to better serve the local community.

"Given Lidl’s commitment to invest in Wrexham the proposed development will, if consented, be constructed at the earliest opportunity and will therefore increase the local community’s retail offering.

"The proposed Lidl food store and drive thru would also create new employment opportunities within the local area for people of all ages and backgrounds.

"This would in turn create an upward spiral of economic benefits within the local area."

The store will have a sales area of 1,325 square metres, while the coffee shop is estimated at 187 square metres.

The store’s opening hours will be 7am to 10pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 5pm on Sundays.

Meanwhile, the coffee shop is expected to trade between 6am and 11pm daily.

Wrexham Council has raised a number of concerns about the development, including traffic issues and pedestrian safety concerns.

In a letter dated July 12, the authority said: "The proposed development site is located off the Asda/Bodhyfryd roundabout which is a busy, classified road subject to a 20mph speed limit.

"I would recommend that stage one and two safety audits are submitted for the proposed planning application to ensure that a suitable access can be provided off the existing roundabout.

"I would raise concerns regarding the internal access serving the drive-thru facility just inside the main access and the potential for vehicles queuing in the drive-thru lane backing up onto the main access and impacting on the adjoining highway.

"Pedestrian access to the site is generally adequate. However, I would raise concerns regarding the location of the internal pedestrian crossing facility nearest to the proposed access."

The letter recommends removing the drive-thru access point and crossing and also asks the company to address a shortfall in parking at the coffee shop.

In response the company said a safety audit would be commissioned, but it dismissed fears about traffic backing onto the roundabout and said the access and crossing point would remain unchanged.

Meanwhile, the new police station facility in Llay is expected to be operational in the autumn.

A new town centre station with a public front desk is also being created in the former Oriel Gallery at Wrexham Library.

The planning committee will decide on the Lidl plans at a future date.