Take a look around: Date set for world's first Lidl pub to open its doors in Northern Ireland after six-year planning journey
The 60-seat venue, named The Middle Ale, will open beside Lidl's Dundonald store following a £500,000 investment and the creation of eight jobs
The opening date has been set for the world's first Lidl pub in Northern Ireland, marking a unique milestone for the supermarket giant after a six-year planning journey.
While Lidl is keeping the exact day and time under wraps, the retailer has confirmed that The Middle Ale will welcome its first customers ‘very very soon’.
Named The Middle Ale, the 60-seat venue is located beside Lidl's existing store in Dundonald and will offer customers access to the retailer's range of wines, beers and spirits for the first time in a pub setting.
The project represents an investment of more than £500,000 and has created eight permanent jobs, including a bar manager, bar duty manager, bar and off sales attendants. Construction of the venue started in April and also supported 15 jobs during the build phase.
Designed by Gordon Devenney of O'Donnell O'Neill Design Associates, whose previous projects include Belfast landmarks The Foundry and The Linen Hall Bar, the venue features Lidl's signature red and blue branding throughout. Inside, shoppers will find a mix of booths, stools and tables, while the walls are decorated with Lidl products and branded features, including references to its popular Freeway Cola range.
With a floor space of 60 square metres and seating for up to 60 customers, visitors can sample selected products from Lidl's drinks portfolio.
The unusual move into the pub trade stems from Northern Ireland's licensing laws, which prevented Lidl from opening a traditional off-sales at the Dundonald store.
Under current legislation, businesses can only obtain a new alcohol licence by purchasing an existing surrendered licence and demonstrating a need in the local area. While Lidl acquired a licence from a closing pub, it was unable to prove there was demand for another off-sales outlet in Dundonald.
Instead, the retailer successfully argued there was a shortage of pub facilities in the area, enabling it to open a public house with an associated off-sales operating from separate premises adjacent to the supermarket.
Planning permission for the development was granted in January 2025, with construction carried out by long-standing partner MMG Contracts.
Speaking when the project was announced, Lidl Northern Ireland regional managing director Gordon Cruikshanks said: “Lidl has been a part of the Dundonald community for more than 20 years and in that time our shoppers and residents have been unable to avail of Lidl Northern Ireland’s full product range due to licensing restrictions.”
He added: “With the rising cost of living, many more shoppers are voting with their feet and choosing to shop at Lidl and, within the Dundonald community in particular, shoppers and residents deserve equal access to our full range of products.”
The opening also comes against the backdrop of ongoing debate over Northern Ireland's licensing laws. Last year, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons rejected several recommendations from an independent review which had proposed reforms to the current system, including changes to the surrender principle.