In This Article:
Lidl has attacked Tesco after the supermarket giant launched an 11th-hour bid to block a new branch of the German discounter.
Tesco has been accused of unfairly exploiting the planning system to scupper Lidl’s expansion plans. It comes after Tesco lodged a third objection in as many years to plans for a new Lidl on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent. The objection has been raised just before a hearing on the proposals on Thursday evening.
Adam Forsdick at Lidl accused Tesco of objecting to the plans only to prevent competition for a nearby Tesco. Tesco insists it does not object to nearby stores on the basis of loss of trade and is simply questioning the quality of data used by Lidl in its application.
Mr Forsdick said: “Competitors remain intent on putting up roadblocks that only serve to prevent households from getting access to the quality and value that Lidl offers.
“Whilst they maintain that their objections are based on material planning considerations, it’s been clear over the last three years that the delays incurred have benefitted only them.”
The allegations of dirty tricks, which Tesco denies, come days after Co-op admitted to unfairly blocking rivals from opening branches near its stores on more than 100 occasions.
Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons and Marks & Spencer have also been rebuked in the past for breaching rules meant to stop supermarkets blocking rivals.
The two German discounters are not beholden to the same rules, as they were still very small in the UK when the regime was created in 2010. Last year Richard Walker, Iceland’s chief executive, claimed Aldi and Lidl were using “legal tricks” to stop their rivals from opening nearby.
In 2023, Giles Hurley, Aldi’s UK chief executive, said larger supermarkets were seeking to stop customers switching away by slowing down openings.
Swale borough council initially granted Lidl planning permission for its Isle of Sheppey shop. However, both Tesco and Aldi objected in 2023 and 2024.
The pair sought to overturn the decision, citing concerns including that the new out-of-town Lidl outlet could stop people coming into the town centre as often. In November, Aldi was successful in getting Lidl’s planning permission overturned by the High Court.
Council officers have since recommended the scheme be approved again. Ahead of a planning committee meeting this week, Tesco has lodged a fresh set of objections. It argued that some of the data used by Lidl to support its case for the store was outdated.
Tesco declined to comment.