The new Lidl superstore on the Anglia Retail Park in Ipswich is completed and is being fitted out before opening its doors to customers towards the end of next month.

The building was handed over to Lidl by Ipswich Borough Assets (IBA) at the end of August. 

It is owned by the council-owned company and leased to the German-owned discount supermarket chain on a long lease.

The fit-out of the store is almost complete and the 40 staff who will be working there have started to move in for training and to get to know the new building.

It was built on the site of the former B&Q garden centre and its completion means the Anglia Retail Park is now fully occupied.

Anglia Retail Park was bought by IBA for £42m at the end of 2017 when the site was at a low ebb following B&Q's decision to pull out. 

That was by far the largest unit at the park and its departure followed the collapse of some of its other tenants including the Comet electrical chain and the closure of some of its catering units.

Since then IBA has invested and created new units from B&Q including The Range and Go Outdoors as well as an activity centre.

The development of Lidl is the last piece of the site to be redeveloped and is expected to boost other retailers and catering outlets at the park.

Taco Bell recently opened on the Anglia Retail ParkTaco Bell recently opened on the Anglia Retail Park (Image: Lucy Taylor)

Its opening will come just weeks after Taco Bell finally opened its new unit on the other side of the retail park.

The opening of Ipswich's third Lidl store is one of 10 planned by the company in the UK during the run-up to Christmas.

One final touch that is expected to be completed next year is the installation of a number of charging points for electric cars near the store so their owners can recharge while shopping.