Budget supermarket Lidl is coming to Halstead after buying the former EMD factory in Kings Road, the Gazette can reveal.

Two-and-a-half years after owners Scott Properties secured planning permission to convert the site into a supermarket, a buyer has finally come forward.

A Lidl spokesman confirmed the purchase yesterday, saying: “Whilst we are unable to confirm time scales at this stage, we very much look forward to bringing Lidl UK’s quality products and great value offering to local residents.”

See this week's Gazette for the full story.