Lidl has received High Court approval to open its first pub in Dundonald, Northern Ireland, after a legal challenge was dismissed.
Dundonald: Lidl just got the green light to open a pub in Northern Ireland. The High Court approved their plan after dismissing an appeal from a competitor.
The judge, Mr. Justice Colton, said there was no reason to block Lidl’s application. The pub will be inside the store and can seat about 45 people.
Customers will enjoy draft and bottled beer, wine, cider, and spirits. The off-licence area will stock items typically found in Lidl stores.
Lidl first got planning permission for the pub back in August 2020. However, another company, Philip Russell Ltd, objected to the plan.
They claimed Lidl didn’t prove there were not enough licensed places nearby. Northern Ireland law requires that new licenses can only be granted if another is given up.
Philip Russell Ltd also argued that Lidl’s off-licence application was an attempt to bypass the law. But the judge found Lidl had shown there was a lack of local pubs.
He noted that Lidl’s pub would replace two that used to be in the area. The supermarket plans to invest at least £410,000 in the new pub.
Mr. Justice Colton mentioned that the pub’s location is convenient, near transport and shopping, and serves a growing adult population.
He concluded that Lidl genuinely intends to operate the pub as a public on/off-licence.
