HEREFORD'S Lidl supermarket has closed for five months, with shoppers facing a trip to Monmouth to visit the closest branch.

Work on the extension and modernisation of the existing Lidl in Brook Retail Park started earlier this month, with the shop expected to be shut until October 14.

Lidl said there would be an "overall improvement to the shopping experience" once the works are complete.

OTHER NEWS:

The works will see the sales area increase to 1,104m2, and new facilities introduced to the store, such as a customer toilet, an improved fresh offering and a larger bakery section.

Signs at Brook Retail Park said the nearest store is Monmouth, although there are shops in Coleford, Cinderford, Malvern, Gloucester and Worcester.

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Lidl GB’s regional head of property Paul Hebblethwaite said in April: “We’re extremely excited to be starting construction for the modernisation and extension of our Hereford store, so that we may bring the local community an even greater selection of our fresh, quality and affordable produce.

"We are grateful for all the support that we have received so far and would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding whilst we enter the next stages of the development.”

A spokesperson for the budget supermarket said staff would be working at nearby Lidl stores until work was complete.