Lidl GB has commissioned new public art at its brand new community foodstore on London Road, Kingston.
The Lidl foodstore, which has now opened at the site of the former Wickes retail warehouse, includes an exciting public art installation, which was agreed as part of the planning approval.
Thank you for your participation in our public consultation. All responses have been reviewed and summarised in a report which has been submitted to Kingston Council. This report is available on the Council’s website at the following link: publicaccess.kingston.gov.uk/online-applications/ using application reference number 22/03878/LEG.
We now await feedback from the Council on the application before we can confirm next steps to the local community.
Everyone who registered an interest in being involved in future events associated with the artwork, will be contacted in due course, once a decision is made on our application.
‘The bridge’ (working title) Planning Permission was granted in April 2022 for the change of the use of the former Wickes retail warehouse, at London Road, to a neighbourhood foodstore (ref. 21/00332/FUL). The foodstore opened in January 2023 and we are delighted to provide Kingston residents with high quality produce at affordable prices.
The planning permission for the site has created an exciting opportunity to deliver a public art installation in the front landscaped area on London Road.
Lidl has commissioned internationally recognised sculptor, Guy Portelli, to create the public art. As part of this process, we are keen to for the local community to help inform the emerging vision.
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Artist Details – Guy Portelli PVPRBA FRSS
Guy Portelli, an internationally recognised sculptor, has agreed to design the public art.
Previous work includes:
Enhance the frontage of the new Lidl store at London Road, Kingston
Add interest to the streetscene
Provide a focal point for a community area outside the new Lidl store, including wider landscaping and public seating area
Fulfil a requirement of the planning permission for the site
The proposed sculpture has been informed by Kingston’s Saxon heritage. Framed around 16 stainless steel rods that support the cut-out shape of Wessex, each pair of rods represent a King, with a final pair celebrating the coronation of King Charles III.
Mosaic details will be added to the sculpture. The artist will engage with the local community on the mosaic details.
Guy Portelli, an internationally recognised sculptor, would design the public art.
An initial design has been created, aiming to link Kingston’s rich Saxon heritage in a fitting celebration to the new monarch, King Charles III, in his coronation year. The sculpture is framed around 16 stainless steel rods that support the cut-out shape of Wessex. This will be seen from a low angle and be silhouetted against the sky. As well as forming a bridge structure, each pair of rods represents a King – with 7 pairs of rods denoting the Saxon kings that were coronated in Kingston, and an additional pair added to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III.
The sculpture thus aims to link Kingston’s past with its present, and provide a fitting celebration to the new monarch in His coronation year (2023).
Mosaic details of historic relevance will be added to the underside of the aluminium panel, and the detailing will be informed by further local research and consultation with local interest groups and schools.
The sculpture will sit on top of a plinth with a plaque that provides a brief description of the art.
At this early stage, we want to understand views and thoughts, to help inform the emerging vision. This includes thoughts on the design, materials and how we can ensure this piece best responds to the local context of Kingston. Please complete our survey to have your say.
Since establishing itself in Great Britain in 1994, Lidl GB has experienced continuous growth and today has over 28,000 employees, over 935 stores and 13 distribution centres in England, Scotland and Wales.
The supermarket takes pride in providing its customers with the highest quality products at the lowest possible prices throughout Great Britain. Social responsibility and sustainability are at the core of the company’s daily operations, with the company placing a strong emphasis on its responsibility for people, society, and the environment. Lidl GB is passionate about working with British producers and sources two thirds of its products from British suppliers.
Lidl first opened its doors in Great Britain in 1994 and currently has over 28,000 employees, over 935 stores and 13 distribution centres in England, Scotland and Wales. Lidl takes pride in providing top quality products at low prices.
The Lidl retail philosophy is focused on simplicity and maximum efficiency at every stage of the business, from supplier to customer, enabling the company to sell high quality own brand and well-known products at low prices.
Lidl GB has long been committed to increasing wages in line with the cost of living, with a combined investment of over £50 million into hourly wages over the past five years. From March 2022, the retailer made its biggest ever investment into colleague wages, making it one of the highest paying supermarkets in the UK. The commitment of £18 million has seen entry-level pay rise from £10.10 to £10.90 per hour outside of London and £11.30 to £11.95 within the M25, with colleagues earning upwards of £13-an-hour, depending on length of service. Lidl also do not offer zero hour contracts.
We have pledged to invest £15 billion into British food and farming by 2025, with two thirds of our products coming from British suppliers, providing our customers with fresh, locally sourced, high quality produce at excellent value. 100% of our own-brand core eggs, milk, cream, butter, fresh beef and fresh primary chicken is British. We have signed the NFU Fruit and Veg Pledge and the Back British Farming Charter. All of our British fresh meat, dairy and fruit and veg is Red Tractor Assured.
Lidl GB sells over 100 different Fairtrade certified products throughout the year, from bananas originating from Colombia, tea picked in Kenya and cocoa for our chocolate, grown in Cote d’Ivoire. In addition to the products we sell all year round, we proudly support specific Fairtrade campaigns such as Fairtrade Fortnight.
The proposed store will meet Lidl’s high sustainability standards which are intended to minimise environmental impact over the lifetime of the store.
‘The bridge’ (working title)