Lidl given green light for €200m distribution centre in Cork City

The new unit marks Lidl's second distribution centre located in Cork

Thu, 26 Feb, 2026 - 11:20

Emer Walsh

Discount supermarket Lidl has received the green light from the local council for a new €200m regional distribution centre outside Cork City.

The new unit, located in Wallingstown, Little Island, will mark Lidl's fourth in the Republic of Ireland and the second to be located in Cork.

Speaking on the positive planning bid, the discount retailer said the facility is "essential to supporting our ambitious expansion across the south and southeast." Lidl said the new centre is anticipated to come on stream by 2030.

The retailer also said it plans to rapidly expand its store network over the next five years. Last year, the German company announced a fresh investment of €600m in developing 35 new stores, along with the Little Island distribution centre.

Lidl currently services 190 stores in the Republic from its three regional distribution centres at Charleville in North Cork, Mullingar, and Newbridge.

It currently operates 52 stores across Munster, including 22 in Cork, six in Limerick, four in Waterford, and eight in Kerry.

Speaking on its latest planning approval, regional managing director for Munster at Lidl Ireland, Tara O'Connor, said: "This is an important milestone and reflects our continued commitment to investing in the Munster and Western region.

"Since submitting the planning application in October 2024, we have opened an additional four new stores in the region at Moycullen, Killorglin, Limerick and Claregalway, with a number of other stores in the pipeline at various stages of the planning process."

Ms O'Connor added that the approval was "vital to ensure we meet the future needs of our business as we continue to deliver on our ambitious expansion plans and open new stores across local towns and cities over the next four years."