Lidl

Can always find something to buy here at a good price. Service can be mixed sometimes slow or quick, depends how many customers are in and who’s serving.

We timed our move to Chapel Allerton pretty well because this Lidl only opened up a couple of months ago or something, which means (a) it’s all new and shiny and clean, (b) the staff are all cheery because everything’s new and shiny and clean, and © I now have a Lidl where I live AND where I work — get in :)

Lidl… my sister used to live round the corner from one in Manchester and when I used to visit it usually ended up being the the booze-​run destination for the evening. There was always some ridiculously cheap wine-​like drink or mysterious spirit such as ‘Vodkat’ not quite vodka but near enough… and when you’re a skint student you’re not that picky! Quite what we were drinking I’ll never know! It’s when you’re going through truly penniless times that the temptation of Lidl is too great and if you shop at supermarkets anyway, I’m not exactly sure of the hard facts, but ethically I can’t imagine it’s hugely different.
They sometimes sell such a random assortment of things… they always have bags full of partially smashed Eastery chocolate shapes and we once found some 80s-​style ‘space boots’ in a size one that my tiny footed friend managed to cram into… they looked pretty amazing but it’s things like this and the eclectic assortment of other clothing items, accessories and gadgets at eye-​wateringly low prices that makes the ethical qualms really hit home. How is it possible to make a profit from such cheap prices? However from the cheap strip lighting, cheap and cheerful ‘décor’ and rather haphazard presentation it’s obvious they are definitely cutting corners cost-​wise.
One hangover from my Manchester Lidl days I occasionally allow myself are their crinkle-​cut Crusti Croc crisps. Amusingly-​named and deliciously crunchy, they are almost addictive! I wouldn’t happily shop here on a weekly basis but an occasional purchase when I’m passing allows for the satisfaction of my morbid fascination with the garishness of it all… and that creepy lighting!

I went to Lidl in search of cheap honey as I didn’t want to be paying more than three pounds for a jar of honey even if it was from the local bees in Harrogate or the bees of the Amazon rain forest. I just wanted honey so I shut me ears to ethics and found a jar for less than £2. Great. But in the process I had to experience the rest of what Lidl had to offer and yes, it is eerie. There are garish orange signs reminding you that Lidl is cheaper all under bright strip lighting and a distinct lack of ambiance. I was surprised to see that here you could buy an electric guitar starter kit, a keyboard and deck chairs, as well as regular groceries. It wasn’t this that created the doctors waiting room atmosphere for me, it was when I had to wait in line with two men behind me who both seemed to just want to stand very still and stare at their products on the exceptionally long conveyor belt for an unusual amount of time.

It’s hard to go into Lidl and not shudder slightly at its almost tangible bargain basement atmosphere and eerie lighting. But, let’s face it, you’re not there for ambiance. You’re there for cheap groceries, and Lidl’s Chapel Allerton’s branch has them in spades. That, of course, is the place’s strength and very reason for being. There are plenty of items in there that you’ll get significantly cheaper than you will elsewhere, branded and otherwise.
You can also pick up a better range of fruit and veg than discount supermarkets have traditionally offered, which is a definite plus.
It’s all very no-​frills, and if you’re in any way particular about your week’s dinner menu, you won’t get a full week’s shop out of the place. It does its job of offering all your basics (and a fair amount besides) well, though. That’s something that’s especially welcome in an area where your alternatives, if you don’t have a car, are basically Tesco Express and Somerfield, neither of which is the cheapest place to buy a crust.
If you remember your own bags and don’t lurk in Lidl’s gloom for too long, you and this discount supermarket will get along just fine.