Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleSupermarket chain Lidl has opened its first pub, 'The Middle Ale', in Dundonald, near Belfast, as a strategic move to navigate Northern Ireland's stringent alcohol licensing laws. The new establishment, which includes an off-licence section, is adjacent to an existing Lidl store and was opened after the company successfully argued there was an insufficient number of bars in the local area. Lidl pursued a pub licence after being unable to secure an off-licence due to the region's complex regulations, which typically require purchasing existing permits and proving an 'inadequacy' of current provision. The 60-seat pub, named in a nod to Lidl's 'Middle Aisle', has a separate entrance to the shop next door and created eight new jobs.Lidl Northern Ireland's regional managing director, Gordon Cruikshanks, called it a “milestone” for the company and a much-needed community space. In fullLidl opens first-ever pub, The Middle Ale, in ‘milestone moment’ for supermarket chainThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

Opening the pub at the supermarket’s Dundonald store enables Lidl to sell off-sales alcohol in compliance with Northern Ireland’s licensing laws.

Hier finden Sie Informationen zu dem Thema „Wegen Regeln zu Alkoholverkauf“. Lesen Sie jetzt „Lidl öffnet ersten Pub in Nordirland“.

Lidl wagt sich in Nordirland erstmals ins Pub-Geschäft. Hinter der Kneipe steckt ein ungewöhnliches Gesetz zum Alkoholverkauf.

Kneipe in Blau, Gelb und Rot: Ob der Discounter-Charme bei den Nordiren verfängt, wird sich noch zeigen müssen. Die Geschichte des ersten Lidl-Pubs ist jedenfalls kurios.

The move is a strategic manouevre to navigate Northern Ireland's strict alcohol licensing laws

With its colour scheme of red, yellow and blue, it could not be clearer who owns the newest pub in Dundonald, Northern Ireland, which opened to punters today.

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleSupermarket chain Lidl has opened its first…

One man was taken to hospital with non-serious injuries following the incident at The Middle Ale bar in Dundonald in Northern Ireland.

The Middle Ale pub had only opened for its first day of trading hours earlier

Acaba de abrir sus puertas en Irlanda del Norte y ofrece a los clientes bebidas y otros productos de la tienda.

The altercation began inside The Middle Ale in Dundonald, Northern Ireland, when a group of punters were 'politely asked to leave' after last orders on Thursday night.