German discount retailer Lidl has begun construction on what will be its first pub. The outlet, located beside an existing Lidl store in Dundonald, Co Down, is expected to open this summer and will accommodate around 60 patrons.
It forms part of a broader redevelopment of the site, which also includes an off-sales area.
The project is understood to be a response to Northern Ireland’s more restrictive alcohol licensing framework, which limits the number of supermarket licences available. By developing a standalone pub, Lidl can instead operate under a hospitality licence.
The retailer said the investment would support local employment and enhance the overall offering at the Dundonald location, where it has operated for several years.
The move comes as the group continues to expand its footprint across the UK and Ireland, with significant capital earmarked for new stores and refurbishments.