A fresh assessment for a proposed Lidl store contradicts previous council claims, highlighting a lack of local competition and high consumer demand.

A newly released retail assessment has concluded that Lampeter does indeed require another supermarket to serve the local community. The report, conducted by planning consultants Carney Sweeney on behalf of Lidl, argues that the town is currently underserved by its existing grocery options.

This latest finding directly contradicts a Ceredigion County Council report from last year which led to the rejection of a similar bid by Aldi. That previous assessment suggested there was no 'quantitative or qualitative' need for a new food store in the area.

The new analysis focused on the Primary Catchment Area and confirmed a clear expenditure capacity to support a new discount retailer. It highlights that the current Sainsbury’s on Market Street is 'trading substantially above company levels,' indicating a lack of healthy local competition.

While the previously rejected Aldi site was located at Pontfaen Road, this new proposal by Lidl is situated just across the border in Carmarthenshire. The site near Cwmann on Carmarthen Road is currently being considered by Carmarthenshire County Council planners.

Lidl’s representatives argue that the town’s resilience to trade diversion means that a new store would not have the 'major detrimental impact' feared by Ceredigion officials. Instead, they believe it would provide much-needed choice for residents who are currently traveling out of town to shop.

The proposed development is expected to bring significant economic benefits to the border region, including the creation of approximately 40 new jobs. Supporters of the project point to these opportunities as vital for the local economy during a period of rising living costs.

Community feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with previous consultations showing that 91 percent of local respondents back the arrival of a new supermarket. Many residents have expressed frustration over the rejection of previous plans, citing the need for more affordable food options.

Existing retailers like the Co-op and Sainsbury’s have previously lodged objections, claiming that additional competition could destabilize the town center. However, the new report suggests that the high trading volume of current stores proves there is more than enough room for a newcomer.

Ceredigion planners had earlier warned that a new store could cause a 10 percent loss in convenience trade for neighboring towns like Aberaeron and Llandysul. This latest retail assessment seeks to debunk those fears by demonstrating a strong local demand that currently remains untapped.

As Carmarthenshire County Council prepares to weigh the evidence later this year, the debate over Lampeter’s retail future continues to intensify. For many in the community, the report confirms what they have felt for years: that one or two stores are simply not enough for the growing population.