The German grocery chain, which operates more than 12,000 sites globally, yesterday (Thursday 9 April) shared that building work was underway for its first pub site.
Based in Northern Ireland, at its Dundonald store, the development came after Lidl was unable to secure a standard off-sales license, according to a report by the BBC.
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However, its licence comes with the legal right to operate an off-sales section, allowing it to build the pub site, the report stated.
According to the BBC, the plan faced a High Court challenge from rivals who argued Lidl was trying to use an unlawful loophole to operate an off-licence.
Innovative approach
Though this was dismissed in January 2025 by Mr Justice Colton who said the law did not stand in the way of a business taking an innovative approach.
Set to accommodate up to 60 customers, the pub will not operate in the store but instead at a separate premises next door.
It is reportedly expected to open this summer and serve Lidl’s own beer, wine and spirit range while also promoting local suppliers.
Though Lidl is not the first business outside of the pub sector to open a venue on the on-trade.
Last year, bakery brand Greggs opened a temporary pub, named the Golden Flake, in Newcastle department store Fenwick Castle.
Open from October 2025 to February this year, the Golden Flake served Greggs-inspired cocktails and beers on draught, with its food offer featuring pub classics.
Celebrations
The Newcastle-founded bakery also collaborated with Fenwick in 2024 to open the Greggs Champagne bar, which saw 8,000 guests taste a sausage roll paired with a glass of Champagne during the nine-week experience.
Elsewhere, in October 2024, car booking app Uber opened a London venue, which it claimed was the capital’s ‘first carbon-negative pub’.
The 55 Tonnes in Westminster opened for three days and featured a range of carbon-saving technologies.
Meanwhile, in 2023, Tesco took over the Castle pub in Farringdon, central London for two days to celebrate the King’s coronation.
Last year, Tesco also held a nostalgic ’90s clubbing experience when it took over the Vinyl Factory, London, for two days in July.
In October 2025, fresh food manufacturer Higgidy took over a pub in Holborn, West London, rebranding it as the Higgidy Arms for one day only, offering a pint and a pie for £10.
