WORK is almost complete on the new Lidl supermarket set to open in Darwen next week.

The store is built on the former Horizon Foam Holdings site between Vale Street and Robert Street.

It will open on the morning of Thursday, December 11.

Traders have told of their mixed feelings about the shop. Some say it will be a welcome boost to the area, others are worried it may take business away.

Coun Simon Huggill said he welcomed the new store, saying it showed that major businesses were attracted to retail opportunities in the town.

Previously, Lidl have said that the Darwen site was chosen as part of their ongoing expansion programme throughout the UK.

They viewed Darwen as an ideal location because of a “limited food retail choice” in the town and residents had to “travel some distance to achieve quality choice and value.”