A BUDGET supermarket is set to open in a Hampshire town creating 40 new jobs.

Lidl will be opening a new branch at Hedge End Retail Park.

The former Homebase store which has been empty since the end of 2018 will be transformed.

It will feature an in-store bakery, customer toilets and “ample parking spaces” with the retailer hoping to open next year.

Plans for the site include building a rear extension and giving the unit an exterior revamp.

It would then be split, creating another store alongside the supermarket which would have 1,438sqm of sales space.

Customer access would be via Tollbar Bar which also serves the M&S and Sainsbury’s stores to the south.

As part of the wider development, a new park would be created featuring seating and a children’s play feature.

The plans were given the green light during the Hedge End, West End and Botley Local Area Committee meeting on Monday night.

Councillor for West End North, Richard Gomer said: "Councillors support bringing the currently empty retail unit back into productive use to support the local economy.

"It will create local jobs, and give people more choice about where to shop.

"Residents who got in touch were very supportive of the plans, and there has been demand for a store like Lidl in the area for some time.

"The approval is conditioned to secure some environmental improvements and make the building more sustainable."

As previously reported, Keith House the Eastleigh Borough Council cabinet member for planning and property, said: “Lidl arriving in Hedge End will prove very popular and good competition for Sainsbury’s.

“We’ll have to see what the planners say about traffic but in principle this seems like a good use of part of the old Homebase.”

A spokesperson for Lidl said: “Plans were submitted for a new Lidl supermarket on Hedge End Retail Park with 1,438sqm sales area, which will create up to 40 new jobs for local economy.

“The supermarket will also feature facilities including an in-store bakery, customer toilet and ample parking spaces.

“We’re now looking forward to receiving a decision in the coming months with a view to opening next year."