Lidl wins court battle to open first in-store pub in NI
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Lidl originally obtained planning permission in 2020 for a tap room at the site, agreeing to pay €167,000 and take over a surrendered local bar licence
Lidl has been cleared to proceed with plans for its first-ever in-store pub in Northern Ireland after a legal challenge was dismissed by the High Court, the BBC reports.
The supermarket chain secured approval for a bar inside its Dundonald store following an appeal from trader Philip Russell Ltd, which argued Lidl had failed to prove a lack of licensed premises in the area.
However, Mr Justice Colton ruled that the novelty of the application was not grounds for refusal.
According to the BBC, Lidl originally obtained planning permission in 2020 for a tap room at the site, agreeing to pay £410,000 (€167,000) and take over a surrendered local bar licence.
Under Northern Ireland’s strict licensing laws, new alcohol sale licences can only be issued if an existing one is given up.
Philip Russell Ltd, which operates off-licences across the region, claimed Lidl’s proposal was an attempt to circumvent the law.
However, Mr Justice Colton found that Lidl had met the legal requirements, noting that the store would be in a growing retail and transport hub where two pubs had previously operated.
According to the BBC, the judge accepted Lidl’s argument that it was making a genuine investment, adding: “I am satisfied that it meets the statutory requirements and there is no good reason for refusing the application.”