Lidl pub opening descends into chaos as police rush to deal with boozy brawl

A violent confrontation broke out on the inaugural evening of Lidl's first-ever pub, The Middle Ale, in Dundonald, Northern Ireland, just hours after the £500,000 venue welcomed its first customers on Thursday.

The disorder erupted when drinkers, security staff and police became embroiled in a clash at closing time at the world's first supermarket pub.

Police Service Northern Ireland confirmed receiving reports of an assault at the premises, with one man requiring hospital treatment for injuries described as not believed to be serious.

Video footage capturing the disturbance has spread widely across social media platforms, appearing to show security personnel forcibly escorting a man from the site.

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The incident occurred in the Dunlady Road area of the Belfast suburb.

The supermarket chain acknowledged the incident and outlined its response in a statement.

Lidl explained that a group of patrons were requested to leave following last orders, at which point a confrontation developed among the group themselves.

"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," the company stated.

The retailer emphasised its strict stance on such behaviour at the new venue.

"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," Lidl added.

Security guards present at the establishment facilitated what the company described as the swift ejection of those involved.

A PSNI spokesman provided further details on the incident.

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"Police received a report of an assault outside licensed premises in Dundonald on Thursday evening, June 18," the spokesman said.

"At approximately 11.20pm, it was reported two men were involved in an altercation outside premises in the Dunlady Road area."

Officers responded to the scene and one man was subsequently transported to hospital for treatment to injuries not considered serious.

The force has launched an appeal for anyone who witnessed the disturbance to come forward with information.

The altercation took place mere hours after The Middle Ale had opened its doors to the public for the very first time, marking what should have been a celebratory occasion for the unique establishment.

The Middle Ale can accommodate approximately 60 customers and sits alongside the Lidl supermarket in Dundonald.

The pub serves well-known draught beers, including Estrella and Guinness, while also functioning as an off-licence.

The venture represents Lidl's solution to Northern Ireland's stringent alcohol licensing regulations, which require supermarkets to acquire a surrendered licence from another business and demonstrate that existing licensed premises are insufficient for local demand.

Lidl had previously failed this inadequacy test but succeeded in obtaining a pub licence after two nearby bars closed in recent years.

Gordon Cruikshanks, Regional Managing Director for Lidl Northern Ireland, had described the opening as a "milestone" on Thursday.

"We're thrilled to finally bring the Dundonald community access to our full range of high quality, premium beers, wines and spirits for the first time in more than two decades," Mr Cruikshanks said.

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