Lidl Northern Ireland to start elderly shopping hours

"We’ve been listening to your feedback and we will be implementing priority shopping hours for the elderly across all 39 Lidl stores in Northern Ireland until further notice.

"We ask that the public respect this time period to allow more vulnerable customers to pick up the food and supplies they need," wrote Lidl Northern Ireland on social media.

"Starting March 17, the mornings will run from 9am – 11am every day and will include prioritised queuing and additional assistance for our older customers.

"We may not be able to actively monitor this at all times as our store teams are required on checkouts and restocking shelves, so we kindly ask that customers respect this measure and plan their shopping trips around this time frame."

The announcement was welcomed and lauded by people all over Northern Ireland.

"Excellent news, well done Lidl. The other big stores should take note of this," wrote one woman.

"Well done Lidl this is brilliant and will give the most vulnerable a chance to get their essentials," said one man.

The total number of confirmed cases of Coronavirus COVID-19 in Northern Ireland is 52.