Lidl has secured permission to open a unique pub inside its supermarket in Dundonald, Northern Ireland. The High Court in Northern Ireland ruled in favor of Lidl, allowing them to proceed with their plans to create a 'vibrant atmosphere' for the community. The new pub will feature both bar service and off-sales, making it a novelty in the retail sector.
Lidl is set to open its first ever pub inside a supermarket on the island of Ireland, allowing shoppers to enjoy drinks in store. The High Court in Northern Ireland has granted the retailer permission to proceed with its unique plan to open the pub in its Co Down store of Dundonald , located approximately 10km from Belfast. The venue will feature both bar service and off-sales, aiming to create a 'vibrant atmosphere' for the Dundonald community.
Lidl secured planning permission back in 2020 for a tap room to be installed on the premises. At that time, Lidl planned to reach an agreement with the owners of a local bar to take over their license. Under Northern Ireland's licensing laws, no new alcohol sale license could be granted unless another one was surrendered. Additionally, it was set to invest £410,000 (€490,077) in a new in-store pub and an off-sales area. However, another trader, Philip Russell Ltd - which operates several off-licences across Northern Ireland - raised formal objections to the plans. They argued that Lidl had failed to demonstrate there were 'inadequate licensed premises' near the site as required under the NI Licensing Order 1996, according to Mirror UK reports. They also claimed it was an improper attempt to circumvent legislation by effectively making another application for an off-license.In the ruling, Mr Justice Colton dismissed the claims and determined that Lidl had established the necessary inadequacy as the new premises would be the only licensed venue in an area that previously had two pubs. The judge added: 'The fact that the application is a novel one is not a reason for refusing it.' The location was also deemed suitable due to its proximity to established shopping and transport facilities alongside the growing adult population in the area. In his final ruling, Justice Colton accepted Lidl's commitment to operating a genuine public house plus off-licence at the location. He stated: 'It may well be that it will not meet the full demand for licensed premises within the vicinity given its size and lack of food provision. That, however, does not mean that (Lidl) fails to establish inadequacy.' The judge noted that Lidl's £410,000 (€490,077) investment plan was a 'significant sum of money', adding: 'I accept that it has concluded that the public house will be profitable, knowing that if it closed through lack of profitability an evitable consequence would be that the off-licence permission would lapse following any such decision. I am satisfied that it meets the statutory requirements and there is no good reason for refusing the application.'Lidl has yet to confirm when the new pub will be built, or an approximate opening date, and if any new plans have been made in the time since 2020. Meanwhile, a Dublin community is still waiting for Lidl to build a pub, which was promised as a condition of planning permission granted in 2019. The old Belgard Inn was demolished in 2018 to make way for a Lidl store in Cookstown, near Tallaght, but the replacement pub has yet to materialize. Frustrated residents have petitioned to South Dublin County Council to enforce the planning commitment. Local councillor Mick Duff told the Irish Independent last year: 'Planning permission granted by South Dublin County Council provided for Lidl to build a pub replacing the old Belgard Inn, which was knocked down to facilitate the new Lidl complex. As the Planning permission is due to expire in 2025, the Belgard Residents Association set about seeking answers as to when Lidl would meet its planning commitment and build the pub as a facility for the local community. I believe Lidl is engaging with South Dublin County Council on the issue.' It has been reported that Lidl recently presented revised plans for the site to local residents, which includes the development of a restaurant/wine bar with 78 apartments overhead
Lidl Supermarket Pub Northern Ireland Dundonald High Court Alcohol Licensing Planning Permission Retail Innovation