THE relocation of a Southampton supermarket could create up to 15 extra jobs, the chain has revealed.

Lidl has earmarked its store in Janson Road, Shirley for closure and plans to open another larger, more modern shop within a two-mile radius.

The store, which opened in 1994, employs 30 staff at its current site off Janson Road in Shirley.

A spokesperson for Lidl said: “We can confirm that we have secured a site to relocate and expand our store in Shirley, as the existing site, unfortunately, is not compatible with our latest store concept, which is designed to provide an enhanced shopping experience for our customers.”

It is thought that the new store could be built on the former Shirley Police Station site.

The Daily Echo reported in July that both Lidl and its rival Aldi were keen to secure the site.

Shirley is one of nearly 40 police stations which have shut in Hampshire since 2008 after the force was hit with government funding cuts amounting to £55m.

Lidl could confirm that work on a replacement for the Janson Road store is expected to begin early next year along, and before that a public consultation is expected in the next few months.

The existing Shirley shop will not close until the new one opens, say Lidl.

Lidl’s Southampton plans are part of a £1.5bn investment programme to open and upgrade more than 1,500 stores across the UK.

The discount chain also opened a new store in Woolston earlier this year and a distribution centre in Nursling in November, creating 400 new jobs.

Marco Ivone, regional director at Lidl UK, added: “We have been able to create significant job opportunities as a result of the new warehouse and will continue to invest in the south as we move forward with our expansion plans.”

Councillor Sativir Kaur, Shirley councillor on Southampton City Council said: “I’ve spoken to people in my own ward who are excited by the prospect of more options for cheaper and affordable food, but we will want to see that the plans include sufficient parking which I as a ward councillor am supportive of. It’s really good to see that jobs are being created in the local area.

“New establishments opening up on the high street proves that Shirley is thriving compared to others across the UK.”

Last week the Echo reported that Aldi had been given the go ahead for a new shop at Portchester and were eyeing up several towns across for Hampshire for new outlets, including Southampton, Eastleigh, Winchester, Totton, Gosport and Hedge End.