Petition to block new Lidl on hotel site in Wolverhampton gathers over 100 signatures

Kiran Kular, who has lived in her Penn home for 20 years, was unhappy with the proposals put forward by discount supermarket Lidl for a store at the site of the Mercure Goldthorn Hotel which could create 40 jobs.

The proposals, submitted to Wolverhampton Council for the scheme, will see the hotel demolished along with the business centre and one home.

Kiran and her family received a letter in the post detailing the plans and how to object to them.

Following this, she penned a petition against the plans and began visiting residents and shop owners in Penn to speak to them about the proposal.

Kiran said: "Not everyone has received the letter.

"The only way you can object is online, and for people who do not have access to the internet, particularly elderly people, this is really unfair.

"I visited more than 100 homes by myself, if I had time I would have gone to even more.

"But not one of the people I spoke to wanted the plans to go ahead, I was really shocked.

"This is just a small attempt from myself to put our community's views across."

There are also concerns following the number of hotel closures in the city.

The final day for objections was May 7.

On May 4, Kiran met with Councillor John Reynolds to hand in the petition to Wolverhampton Council.

Kiran added: "We are concerned about rising traffic, parking problems and littering if this goes ahead. And the independent grocery stores on Lea Road are also very disappointed.

"The planned entrance is to be on Oaklands Road, and that means that homeowners there will have Lidl right on their doorstep.

"There are at least 28 mature trees which will be cut down too to make way for the store.

"Instead it would be nice to see the hotel converted into a leisure centre, as many people use the gym and pool there, more housing or even a restaurant.

"We have nothing against Lidl, but there is going to be a large Tesco opening where Waitrose was and the large Sainsbury's down the road.

"We just don't need another supermarket here right on our doorsteps."

A spokesman for Lidl said about the proposals: "We are delighted to have submitted plans to bring a new Lidl store to Wolverhampton.

"If granted, this would mark a multi-million pound investment in the area and the creation of around 40 new full and part time jobs for the local community when the store opens. We look forward to receiving a decision in due course."

The petition is currently awaiting decision.