Newcastle, Co. Down – A brand new Lidl supermarket is set to open in Newcastle next month, marking a major retail milestone for the seaside town. After years of planning and anticipation, the German discount chain has announced its state-of-the-art store on the Bryansford Road will officially welcome shoppers on Thursday, 19th June 2025. Local residents are gearing up for the grand opening, which promises modern facilities, new jobs, and an expanded range of affordable products right at the foot of the Mourne Mountains.

Location and Design: At the Foot of the Mournes

The new Lidl store is located at the junction of Shan Slieve Drive and Bryansford Road, in the shadow of the Mourne Mountains and adjacent to Donard Park. This spot – once the site of St. Mary’s Girls’ Primary School – has been transformed into a 3.5-acre retail hub. The site was carefully chosen to accommodate a larger supermarket and includes space for a new Mourne Mountain Rescue Team base, a community facility that will be developed on the grounds alongside the store.

Designed as a “concept store”, the building features a modern and environmentally conscious design intended to blend with its scenic surroundings. It will also be Lidl’s first branch with a “living roof” – a grass and plant-covered rooftop designed to blend seamlessly with the Mourne Mountains Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. From street level, the store’s profile and landscaping aim to complement the greenery of Donard Park. Vehicle access has been arranged from Bryansford Road, and the store is set back from nearby homes to minimise visual and noise impact.

Inside, shoppers can expect a spacious, expansive floor plan of approximately 1,338 square metres of sales area. That’s significantly larger than the old Railway Street outlet. The building is fully wheelchair and pram accessible, with wide aisles and modern amenities to ensure a comfortable shopping experience for all.

Inside the New Lidl: Layout and Offerings

Stepping inside, customers will find all of Lidl’s signature offerings – and more. The store’s interior follows Lidl’s latest layout standards, with high ceilings, bright lighting and wide aisles. Right at the entrance is a large in-store bakery, offering fresh bread, pastries, and sweet treats baked on-site throughout the day.

The produce section is brimming with fresh fruit and vegetables, much of it sourced from local and Irish suppliers. Refrigerated aisles provide a broad selection of dairy products, meat, and chilled ready meals. The shelves are lined with a variety of household essentials, pantry staples, and Lidl’s famous own-brand ranges, such as Deluxe, Chef Select, and Formil.

The store also includes the ever-popular “Middle of Lidl” aisle, stocked with limited-time special buys — from gardening gear and kitchen gadgets to workout equipment and kids’ toys. This rotating selection of non-food products often brings shoppers back week after week.

Shoppers will benefit from long belt-style checkouts, multiple tills, and new self-service checkouts to help speed things up for smaller baskets. There are also customer toilets and baby-changing facilities – a welcome convenience for families and older customers.

The building includes various energy-efficient features: LED lighting throughout, heat pump-based HVAC systems, and solar panels installed on the roof. The living roof helps regulate temperature, manage rainwater, and minimise the store’s visual footprint. In the car park, there are 147 parking spaces, including designated spots for disabled customers and parents with young children, and electric vehicle charging points.

Grand Opening Day Festivities

The store will officially open on Thursday, 19th June at 8:00 AM, with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the occasion. Local sporting hero and Paralympic gold medalist Bethany Firth MBE will be there to perform the honours, adding an extra sparkle to what’s shaping up to be a memorable event for the town.

Lidl is expected to pull out all the stops on opening day. Early visitors can look forward to exclusive opening-day promotions, potential giveaways, and in-store product sampling. These celebratory events are a tradition at new Lidl store openings across Northern Ireland.

In the past, Lidl has also made charitable donations during new store openings, and many residents are hopeful that a local cause – such as the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team, who are working on their new base adjacent to the store – could benefit.

Inside, staff will be on hand to welcome customers, guide them through the new layout, and offer assistance. Most of the team will be familiar faces from the old Railway Street store, now joined by new hires for the upgraded premises.

Jobs and Economic Boost

Beyond the ribbon-cutting and celebrations, the new Lidl brings real long-term benefits to Newcastle’s economy. Lidl has invested a significant £6.3 million in the development, more than doubling the original budget estimated several years ago. The result is a modern retail facility designed not only for function but for sustainability and community integration.

Over 200 jobs were created during the construction and planning stages, offering work to tradespeople, engineers, and local contractors. Now that the store is ready to open, it will support 37 permanent jobs, including a mix of full-time and part-time roles ranging from store assistants to managerial positions.

The supermarket’s presence is expected to increase local footfall, with potential benefits for other businesses nearby. Positioned near Donard Park and a key route into the town, it may attract shoppers who combine their Lidl visit with stops at cafes, shops, or scenic walks in the Mournes.

Lidl also maintains strong ties with Northern Irish food producers, sourcing a wide range of local products. Shoppers can expect to find County Down dairy, local eggs, and produce from regional farms on the shelves. By supporting local suppliers and keeping prices affordable, Lidl continues to embed itself as a valuable part of the area’s food economy.

Supporting the Community: Mourne Mountain Rescue Team

One of the most widely praised aspects of the project is Lidl’s partnership with the Mourne Mountain Rescue Team (MRT). As part of the development agreement, Lidl allocated space on the new site for MRT to construct a purpose-built rescue base.

The volunteer team, which responds to emergencies across the Mournes and surrounding areas, has long needed a modern headquarters. The new site near Lidl offers easier access, better storage for rescue gear, and the ability to host training for local volunteers.

While MRT will continue fundraising to complete their building, the land provision alone is a major step forward – and a clear sign of Lidl’s commitment to supporting the local community beyond commerce.

Community Reactions and Local Sentiment

The road to this store’s opening has been nearly a decade long, and Newcastle residents have been following the journey closely. The initial announcement in 2016 was met with a mix of excitement and questions – particularly around traffic, location, and potential disruption to Donard Park.

Over time, however, Lidl made several adjustments to its plan in response to community feedback. The inclusion of a living roof, improved access points, and a sympathetic design that reflects the natural surroundings helped ease concerns.

Now, as the opening date approaches, the mood is overwhelmingly positive. On local social media pages and community forums, excitement is building. Many residents say they’re looking forward to easier parking, a wider product range, and the ability to do a full weekly shop locally – without travelling to Downpatrick, Banbridge, or Newry.

Some shoppers also expressed fondness for the old Lidl store, located in the town’s historic red-brick former railway station. The charming setting, complete with clocktower, has been a unique part of Newcastle’s retail history. However, most agree that the layout and size had become outdated and could no longer meet the needs of the growing town.

The old store on Railway Street will officially close on Wednesday 18th June, the evening before the new location opens. The building is now up for sale, and there is public interest in what might come next for the unique space – with some hoping for a community-focused reuse that respects the structure’s heritage.

A New Chapter for Retail in Newcastle

With the addition of Lidl’s new flagship store, Newcastle’s retail scene has taken a major step forward. Shoppers now have two major supermarkets – Tesco and Lidl – each offering different experiences and product lines. Independent grocers, butchers, and bakeries continue to thrive, with many residents planning to balance weekly grocery trips with local specialist shopping.

The presence of a modern, well-equipped discount retailer is also likely to benefit the town’s tourism economy. Visitors staying in self-catering accommodation will find the new store convenient for supplies, while day-trippers heading into Donard Park can now grab snacks, drinks, or picnic items without leaving town.

The store also sends a strong signal about confidence in Newcastle’s future. As one of Lidl Northern Ireland’s largest new developments, the investment demonstrates the company’s belief in the town’s growth and potential. This success may encourage additional retailers, restaurants, or services to consider Newcastle as a destination.

Looking Ahead

As the doors open on 19th June, the people of Newcastle will finally see the result of years of development – and for many, it will be worth the wait. From the modern design and eco-conscious construction to the new job opportunities and product selection, the new Lidl offers more than just a place to shop. It’s a sign of progress, investment, and community resilience.

With the Mourne Mountains towering behind it and Donard Park next door, this new Lidl will quickly become part of the town’s daily rhythm. Whether you’re a long-time local, a young family, or a visitor to the area, the message is clear:

Welcome to the new Lidl Newcastle – we’re glad you’re here.