Lidl lifts lid on ‘long wait’ which scuppered plans for new Lang Stracht store in Aberdeen
The German retailer has now had its say on why a deal with the council fell apart, while hinting that it remains on the hunt for an alternative Aberdeen site.
Lidl is blaming “factors outwith our control” for backing out of plans to build a new supermarket in Aberdeen — but bosses promise they are “actively considering” other sites.
The German retailer has pulled out of an offer to purchase the site of the former Aberdeen Journals offices on the Lang Stracht.
A spokeswoman blamed external issues, which impacted potential construction timelines, for abandoning the proposals.
The Press and Journal last week revealed secret talks resulted in Aberdeen City Council voting to accept an alternative bid, from an as-yet unknown buyer, for the Mastrick land.
Locals ‘disappointed’ by Lidl’s Lang Stracht U-turn
Hundreds of locals had rallied behind Lidl’s bid for the old Press and Journal offices.
The supermarket’s closed-envelope offer was accepted in May 2025, months after the brand lost the lease of its existing Lang Stracht shop to Farmfoods.
Lidl’s representatives urged the community to support the plans, and their bid to build their own unit nearby.
And their decision to walk away from the proposals after courting such local backing was branded “disappointing” by council finance convener Alex McLellan.
Lidl ‘actively considering’ other Aberdeen sites after Lang Stracht setback
Now the bosses at the British HQ of the German brand have tried to explain their decision, while hinting they are looking for other options in that part of Aberdeen.
A spokeswoman told The P&J that “external factors out of our control impacted project timelines, ultimately affecting the overall viability and cost of delivering a store at Lang Stracht”.
The Lidl GB rep added: “We’d like to reassure local residents that we remain fully committed to Aberdeen, where we already operate three popular stores across the city.
“While we can no longer move forward with the site at Lang Stracht, we are actively considering other options to serve the local community in that catchment.”
Aberdeen City Council confirmed the finance committee had on Wednesday approved an offer from another bidder for the Lang Stracht site.
It remains listed as “under offer” on the local authority’s website, as land being sold for business and industrial development.
[Source: Press and Journal]
