BUDGET supermarket Lidl has confirmed it is searching for premises in Abingdon.

The news about the German discount chain has lifted spirits in the town following a string of recent retail blows.

In October, it was revealed Somerfield in Bury Street could shut as a result of competition laws when a deal for the Co-operative to take over the rival supermarket chain is completed. There has been speculation the building could be taken over by Lidl.

Lidl spokesman Jeremy Lee refused to comment on that possibility, but said: “We have a requirement for Abingdon and we would very much like to come to the town.

“We have always wanted a site in Abingdon and we are searching for a suitable site, but there is nothing else we can let you know at this stage.”

Woolworths, also in the Bury Street precinct, is to close soon, while nearby Halfords is to shut in the New Year.

The town’s Klick Photoshop store, also in the precinct, will close following the collapse of parent company Bowie Castlebank Group.

There are eight units in the precinct standing empty.

On the possibility of Lidl moving into the town, Abingdon businessman Steve King, 58, said: “It would be good as not everybody can afford to shop in Waitrose. Lidl is a cheap and good alternative to Tesco.”

Stuart Bates, president of Abingdon Chamber of Commerce, said: “The last thing we need is more empty units.

“We need shops to be filled and to be trading and we ought to be encouraging the right mix of shops to be opened up so we have the right high street brands to encourage the shoppers who might be going off to other places.”

Town councillor Julie Mayhew-Archer said: “A range of supermarkets to feed every need is to be welcomed.”

The news also went down well with shoppers. Ann Nelson, 69, of The Warren, said: “Great. Abingdon needs something like that. It would be brilliant, especially for people with young children as vegetables are quite a bit cheaper. It would be good for the pensioners as well. ”

Justin Evans, 38, of Radley Green, said: “It’s a good idea as it’s a bit of variety for the town.

“Abingdon is a dying town and now Woolworths is going, something will be able to move into there and, hopefully, it will be able to employ some of the staff that have been made redundant.”

In Oxfordshire, Lidl already has a store in Garsington Road, Cowley, and has permission for another in Witney.

The news that Lidl was searching for premises follows the announcement by the Vale of White Horse District Council that the lease on the Bury Street shopping area has been transferred to a new owner, raising expectations the dilapidated precinct will be redeveloped.

Last week, it was confirmed pension and investment firm Scottish Widows had taken over the lease from international asset management firm Threadneedle.

Mr Bates said: “I am delighted to hear there is good news, but it’s tempered by how will the landlord view Abingdon and is it actually going to make the refurbishment that is so long overdue?”

Mr King said: “It’s a good thing Threadneedle has gone and I have heard Scottish Widows is looking to do a major revamp, not just a few million pounds. I think next year really could be a very positive year for Abingdon.”