Lidl in line for Monasterevin
The former St Paul's Secondary School premises, soon to become a Lidl store
Lidl Ireland has purchased the old St Paul’s Secondary School site on the Main Street of Monasterevin for a fee estimated between €1m and €2m, with the intention of bringing forward plans for a new store.
Since the school was vacated in the Summer of 2023, numerous efforts were made to identify a suitable new use for the site — ranging from educational, special education and health-related proposals to potential voluntary and community uses.
“Unfortunately, none of these proposals progressed in recent years, and that is why I am delighted to confirm that the site has now been secured for a new purpose that will bring life and investment back into this key location,” said cllr Kevin Duffy from the town.
“It is my understanding that Lidl Ireland will now move toward seeking planning permission for a new store on the 2.1ac (0.85Ha) site. Lidl literally looked for a two-acre site to develop a new store.
"A development of this scale has the potential to greatly enhance activity along Main Street, complementing existing local businesses and strengthening the services available to our growing population.
"Monasterevin is a growing town with a population of over 5,500, with continued residential growth and increasing demand for local amenities.
“There is room for two supermarkets in town. Supervalu has been here for decades, before me, and has been a huge bonus to the town.
“The arrival of a retailer like Lidl will enhance and support the wider economic and community development of the town; keeping more residents shopping in the town, because there are a lot of people leaving Monasterevin to do their shopping.
“Alongside other ongoing projects—such as the redevelopment of the Finlay Garage site on the Portlaoise Road into a DoE Test Centre for commercial vehicles – the first business here in almost 20 years.
"There is also the new Fashion and Textile Hub in the former Bank of Ireland building, this marks another important step in breathing new life into areas of our town that need it most.
“We’re growing, so hopefully this will benefit all businesses in the town, and the big positive is this purchase and re-development (of St Paul’s) has happened before the site became derelict.
“All these things add more to the town, and hopefully, a rising tide will lift all boats.
“This development will enhance the vibrancy of Main Street, and it’s all positive.
“I hope the community will view this as a positive and welcome opportunity for Monasterevin, and I will continue to work on this project and on further developments for the town, and I will keep you updated as more information becomes available."
Lidl Ireland has been contacted for confirmation, but had not replied at the time of going to print.
