Supermarket chain Lidl has opened the ‘store of the future’ in Weston-super-Mare today (Thursday).

The new store, in Winterstoke Road – adjacent to Weston Football Club – is set to open at 8am with mayor Alan Peak on hand to for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The new 1,690sqm site boasts an in-store bakery, smarter packing facilities, energy efficient LED lighting and a host of opening-week promotional offers.

Forty new jobs have been created by the opening of the new branch – which becomes the second Lidl store in the town after the long-standing branch in Summer Lane, Worle.

James Mitchell, regional head of property for Lidl, said: “We would like to thank those who played a part in bringing a new Lidl store to Weston.

“It is wonderful for us to be able to create more jobs and investment opportunities in the area, and we can’t wait to start serving our award-winning products to the local community.”

A Lidl spokesman added: “Lidl has experienced continued growth over the years as consumers flock to the shop to discover products – two-thirds of which are British – ranging from quality British fruit and vegetables, to premium wines from its much-coveted wine cellar collections.

“More than six million British shoppers are now flocking to Lidl each week, 500,000 more a week than in 2015.

“Lidl’s success shows no signs of slowing, as latest results outline its continued growth and market share high of 4.6 per cent and year-on-year sales growth of 6.1 per cent.”