With the recent news that the German owned Lidl UK supermarket has lodged an outline application for a new superstore on the outskirts of Liskeard it is time to find out whether the people of Liskeard want a new supermarket.

Norman and Sylvia Banfield agree that a new supermarket would provide more competition for the already established supermarkets. Norman said: 'We would probably go to Lidl's just for a weekly shop, but we go to Somerfield if we are in town for convenience sake.'

On The Parade were the family of David Neville-Garvey, Gemma Stevens and son Harvey Stevens.

David and Gemma agreed that a new supermarket would create more choice for the customer and more competition for the other supermarkets. Gemma said: 'We would certainly take a look at Lidl's as a possibility for shopping there, basically because it is cheaper.'

Lidl's is known for its 'no frills - stack 'em high' policy and cheap prices and has already established four other stores in Cornwall, at Newquay, Penzance, St Austell and Wadebridge.

Susie Webb with her 11 month old son, Henry thinks that having a new supermarket in Liskeard is a good idea. Susie said: 'We all need and like low prices. I would probably try them and the quality of their products first.'

Susie be-lieves that Lidl's coming to Liskeard would probably affect the town centre, small food stores and corner shops because their prices are so low.

The site Lidl's are interested in is on land at Tencreek Farm, Horningtops, which already has consent for the development of a roadside service station, which has not been taken up. The site is also close to the Safeway Supermarket which opened five years ago.

Jane Eulin-ton said: 'The new Lidl's being close to Safeway's shows how they are at either end of the scale. Lidl's prices are good and without all the frills which is quite good. I can see it catering for those who just can't afford Safeway prices and it will create jobs for many people.'

Vivian Jasper lives at Crows Nest, near Liskeard and shops at Tesco's in Launceston because it is cheaper.

She said: 'I would be interested in going to Lidl's if they came to Liskeard. Personally I don't think that another supermarket would cause any more of a detrimental effect on Liskeard Town Centre.'

Many people think that a new supermarket, especially Lidl's, with its apparently low prices, would be a benefit to the people of Liskeard - and only very few believe that it would have a detrimental effect on Liskeard town centre.

Few that were asked were opposed to the idea of such a supermarket, including Gay Richardson who said: 'Liskeard does not need any more supermarkets, even those who provide cheaper prices. I make a point of never using supermarkets. If people use local shops they will find that the cost will be less anyway.'

Jeff Martin who has lived in many places across the UK, says that he sees things in Liskeard from an outsiders point of view, and with a fresh opinion.

His strong views included: 'They say competition's healthy, I don't think that a new supermarket would affect the town centre, if businesses in the town want to keep up with the continuing trade they are going to have to come up with new ideas to bring themselves into the 21st century. They cannot just sit still.'

Jeff concluded: 'Thumbs up to Lidl's!'