LLANDUDNO Junction's much-anticipated new Lidl store was unveiled this morning.

From 8am, customers finally had the chance to shop around the new store located on Vale Road.

Initially granted planning permission in 2017, the shop forms part of the company’s ongoing expansion and regeneration plans in the UK and is expected to create around 40 jobs.

Aberconwy MP Robin Millar joined staff to officially unveil it - and said it was the first supermarket he's ever had to cut the ribbon for.

Mr Millar (below) also thanked local residents for their patience with the building project; the builders for their work and wished Lidl and their staff the best of luck for their new venture.

North Wales Pioneer:

PICTURE: Robin Millar MP opening the new store.

The Llandudno Junction Lidl features an in-store bakery, longer-style tills, customer toilets, baby changing and parking for both cars and bicycles.

Surplus food will be provided to Crest, a charity that deliver food parcels for vulnerable members of the community, and Ty Hapus Community Resource Centre, for their food bank and ‘healthy eating on a budget’ sessions.

This is delivered through Lidl’s Feed it Back scheme in partnership with Neighbourly, working to help some of the vulnerable in society access high quality food.

The German supermarket chain have implemented Covid-19 safety measures, in order to ensure the safety of customers and staff.

Stuart Jardine, Lidl GB’s regional head of property, said: ““We would like to thank all those who have played a part in bringing this new Lidl store to Llandudno Junction. It is great for us to be able to create more jobs and investment opportunities in the area, and we can’t wait to start serving our multi-award winning products to the local community.”

Customers are urged to pay by contactless payment methods.

The store, on the site of the old Arriva bus depot and former Daily Post and North Wales Weekly News sites, was expected to open by Christmas 2018 originally.

This date slipped as a result of problems which emerged during the development process.

Earlier, we asked North Wales Pioneer readers what they made of their first experience at the new Llandudno Junction Lidl, and here's what they had to say:

Ceri Louise Hughes: "Have been today was amazing very big everyone Was socially distancing I spent a fortune got everything I needed and more loved it ...and the staff member on the till even helped me pack my bags he was very friendly .

Tracy Lewis: "Just came from there n wow everything looked amazing people being socially distancing only wanted mushrooms but spent fortune n friendly staff of which my sister trained."

Lisa Roberts: "Was there at 8.15. All calm. Handing out trolley keyrings which was ideal as didn't have any cash on me."

Sandra Hyde: "Brilliant! So big. Even today when busy. Lots of room to distance."