Lidl set to open first pub in the UK

Yes, you read that right

The case took place in Northern Ireland where the German supermarket intend on opening up a pub inside of one of its supermarkets.

The store earmarked for the major change is located in its Dundonald store in County Down not far from Belfast.

The venue will feature both bar service and off-sales with £410,000 of investment to be injected.

As reported by the Mirror, Lidl had secured permission back in 2020 for a tap room on the premises.

This came after a fire destroyed the nearby Lewis Tavern in 2019, prompting the supermarket to fill the void.

The supermarket planned to make an agreement with the owner of a bar nearby and take over their license.

This comes due to Northern Ireland licensing laws which deem no new alcohol sale license can be granted without another being relinquished.

However, one trader, Philip Russell Ltd, an operator of multiple off-licenses in the country, took issue with the development and subsequently raised a formal objection to the plan.

The complainant claimed Lidl had not shown there were inadequate licenced premises near the site as required under the Licencing (Northern Ireland) Order 1996.

Despite this and other issues the raised, Justice Colton accepted Lidl's commitment to operating a genuine public house plus off-licence at the location, ruling in the supermarket's favour.

Initial plans suggest that the pub will be able to seat 45 customers selling draught and bottled beer, wine, cider, and spirits.