Fancy a pint … at Lidl? The bizarre battle over Northern Ireland’s stifled nightlife
The country’s licensing laws mean the supermarket has opened a pub so it can sell alcohol, while campaigners are fighting to help other venues open and get people dancing At first sight The Middle Ale in Dundonald, Northern Ireland looks just like any other pub. There is a big TV, an array of seating, and beer pumps behind the bar. Look a little closer, however, and you might ask why there are…
In Northern Ireland, the country's licensing laws have led to an unusual situation where a supermarket has opened a pub to sell alcohol. The Middle Ale, located in Dundonald, looks like any typical pub with a big TV, seating and beer pumps. However, it contains unexpected items such as packets of fajitas and gravy granules on the walls.
This pub is owned by Lidl, a supermarket chain, but it isn't just a quirky marketing ploy. Northern Ireland's licensing laws are incredibly strict when it comes to selling alcohol, whether it be from a shop, pub or nightclub. Lidl attempted to obtain a license for alcohol sales in its Dundonald store but was denied. Undeterred, the company pursued a court battle and succeeded in obtaining a license to operate a pub next door, which now allows customers to take away alcohol and enjoy drinks within the pub itself.
Written by urgent.news from Guardian Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
