THIS is the shocking moment a brawl breaks out in Lidl’s first pub on its opening night.
A man has been hospitalised after the fight erupted inside The Middle Ale bar in Dundonald, on the outskirts of , after last orders on Thursday night.
A brawl started inside Lidl’s pub The Middle Ale on its opening night Credit: x.com/@Barnabybear70
One person has been taken to hospital Credit: x.com/@Barnabybear70
The discount supermarket chain said an “altercation” began inside the premises when a group of customers were “politely asked to leave”.
It said security staff were involved in the “prompt removal” of the group.
Footage circulating on appears to have captured the incident as it unfolded.
The Service of (PSNI) said in a statement: “Police received a report of an assault outside licensed premises in Dundonald on Thursday evening, June 18.
Lidl opened the pub as a way to comply with Northern Ireland’s strict licensing laws Credit: PA
The 60-seater bar also has an off-sales section Credit: PA
“At approximately 11.20pm, it was reported two men were involved in an altercation outside premises in the Dunlady Road area.
“Officers attended, and one man was taken to hospital for treatment to injuries not believed to be serious.”
Police inquiries are ongoing and the force has appealed for witnesses to come forward.
Northern Ireland said: “We are aware of an incident at The Middle Ale which took place yesterday evening.
“A group of customers were politely asked to leave the premises after last orders were called and an altercation took place between the group of customers.
“For the safety of our employees and customers, security personnel assisted in the prompt removal of the group and the PSNI supported in ensuring their full removal from the site.
“At The Middle Ale, the safety of our employees and customers is of utmost importance and we operate a zero-tolerance approach to disorderly behaviour.”
The Middle Ale, named as a nod to Lidl’s popular “middle aisle” discounted items, had opened its doors for the first time and midday that day and was set to close at 11pm.
The 60-seat bar and off-licence is next to the existing Lidl store in Dundonald.
It’s the German-owned store’s way of complying with Northern Ireland’s strict licensing laws.
Liquor licences are tightly controlled in the province and can only be obtained by purchasing them from businesses that are closing or don’t intend to sell alcohol in the future.
Any applicant must also prove there is an “inadequacy” of provision in the area.
Lidl initially was unable to prove there was an inadequate number of off-licenses in the area but then changed its strategy and applied for a pub licence instead, saying there were not enough bars in the area.
Having seen off a legal challenge in court, Lidl managed to secure a licence to sell alcohol in a pub, with an attached off-sales section.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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