A SUPERMARKET giant has set a date for its latest store opening in Hampshire.

Lidl will open the doors of its new store in Woolston on February 28 after works started on its construction last May.

The store has replaced the empty Co-op building in Victoria Road and has created 40 new jobs.

Customers can also benefit from an extra 33 car parking spaces – the 82 currently available have been increased to 115.

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The opening of the new Lidl store has been hailed by Woolston councillor Warwick Payne.

Cllr Payne said: “Woolston has been without a supermarket for a couple of years now so the opening of Lidl will be welcomed by many residents.

"Woolston had some tough years after Vosper Thornycroft closed, but now it feels like the neighbourhood is getting back on track and is definitely open for business.”

The Daily Echo previously reported how the plans to build the new store initially raised concerns with residents.

Several people voiced their fears over the number of protected trees that needed to be felled for the new store to be built.

Planners agreed to plant 24 trees as part of the new build to replace the eight that needed to be felled.

A spokesperson from Lidl said only a couple of trees have been felled so far, and plans are in place to plant new trees.