Lidl To Create 500 Jobs Through £435m Warehouse Investments

Lidl has announced a combined £435 million investment in its UK distribution network, with the completion of a major London expansion and the start of construction on a new warehouse in Leeds. Together the two projects are expected to create more than 500 jobs.

The company has redeveloped its Belvedere site in London through a £285 million programme that included the expansion of its existing warehouse and the construction of a second facility. The site’s capacity has been tripled and will serve up to 120 stores once fully operational.

In parallel, Lidl has broken ground on a new £150 million warehouse in Leeds. The facility will support the retailer’s growing store footprint in the north of England and is expected to generate around 400 new jobs, in addition to the 120 roles created in London.

The expansion reflects Lidl’s rapid growth in the UK grocery sector. The chain now operates more than 980 stores and 14 distribution centres across England, Scotland and Wales. According to Kantar data, Lidl has become the country’s sixth-largest supermarket and is closing in on Morrisons.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves described the investment as a signal of confidence in the UK economy. She said: “This investment is a strong vote of confidence in the UK economy, and Lidl’s commitment to new warehouse facilities in London and Leeds will unlock hundreds of new jobs, strengthen supply chains, and ensure families can access affordable, quality food.”

Richard Taylor, Lidl’s chief real estate officer for Great Britain, said the retailer is proud to contribute to UK economic growth through large-scale logistics and infrastructure projects.

For project managers, the developments highlight the scale of investment required to underpin retail growth strategies. Both sites will play a key role in strengthening supply chains, supporting store expansion, and ensuring distribution capacity keeps pace with customer demand.

The phased recruitment of 500 staff will also require coordinated workforce planning, particularly in a competitive labour market for logistics and warehousing roles.