LIDL has been confirmed as the first firm to occupy space at the forthcoming retail development located at Binhamy, Bude, drawing mixed reactions from residents.

The budget supermarket company plans to open its discount food store in time for Christmas 2015, and is hoping to be on site in the spring of next year with its construction team.

Catesby Property Group is now finalising its proposals in relation to the last area of land under its control, which currently has planning permission for 25,000sq ft of non-food retail, and hopes to be able to announce its intentions in the next few weeks.

Paul Brocklehurst, Chief Executive of Catesby Property Group, said: "I am excited at being able to announce that Lidl have chosen Bude and Binhamy Farm as the location for a new store which will broaden consumer choice and enable Bude residents to access their unique, competitive retail offer.

"We intend to announce over the course of the next few weeks our future plans for the final piece of land at Binhamy which will undoubtedly bring more jobs and choice to Bude residents whilst marking the end of Catesby's involvement in the Binhamy proposals."

Residents expressed a variety of views when asked if they thought Lidl's arrival was good for the town — some of who were in agreement with Mr Brocklehurt's positive outlook.

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.