Supermarket chain Lidl to create 500 new jobs in Doncaster

Supermarket chain Lidl has announced plans to build a new depot in Doncaster, creating 500 jobs in the process.

The warehouse, the brand's 13th distribution centre in the UK, will cost £70m to build.

It is the latest sign that international companies have not been put off investing in the UK following the Brexit vote, despite  warnings from pro-EU campaigners that businesses would be wary of increasing their presence in Britain while its position in Europe is uncertain.

These include an announcement from Nissan that is is to build two new models in Sunderland and the confirmation of plans for a new Google site in north London.

Lidl, which is based in Germany, has made gains in the extremely competitive grocery market in recent years, winning market share from larger rivals including Tesco and Asda.

It has however seen growth slow slightly this year.

The new distribution centre will cover 53,400 square metres, with construction due to begin in 2017.

It will form part of a previously announced £1.5bn investment in stores and depots across the UK over the next few years.

The investment will also see 400 new jobs created at a new warehouse in Southampton, as well as a further 100 at the Eurocentral industrial park in Lanarkshire, Scotland.

It was announced last year that Lidl would be extending the independent recommended living wage to its lowest-paid staff, with employees receiving at least £8.45 an hour outside of London and £9.75 within the city - a higher rate than the Government mandated living wage.