Lidl celebrates 25 years in Northern Ireland with opening of new £8m Cookstown store

(L-R) Chair Cllr Frances Burton (Mid Ulster District Council); Aaron Hughes (Former Northern Ireland Football Captain); Sarah Law (Lidl Cookstown Store Manager); Gordon Cruikshanks (Regional Managing Director, Lidl Northern Ireland)

Lidl Northern Ireland has officially opened a brand-new, state-of-the-art store in Cookstown, more than 25 years after the location made history in 1999 as the site of the retailer’s first-ever Northern Ireland store.

With a significant investment of over £8 million, the new concept store replaces Lidl’s original location at Station Square Retail Park, and marks a major milestone in the retailer’s ongoing expansion and modernisation across the region.

The new 2,475 square metre store, now located on Orritor Road, brings a refreshed and sustainable shopping experience to local customers.

The upgraded site has created 15 new jobs, bringing the total number of employees at the Cookstown branch to 40, with more than 150 jobs supported throughout its planning and construction phases.

A historic moment for Lidl NI

Officially opening the store this morning was former Northern Ireland football captain and Cookstown native Aaron Hughes, who welcomed eager shoppers at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

(L-R) Chair Cllr Frances Burton (Mid Ulster District Council); Aaron Hughes (Former Northern Ireland Football Captain); Sarah Law (Lidl Cookstown Store Manager); Gordon Cruikshanks (Regional Managing Director, Lidl Northern Ireland)

“It’s been a fantastic morning meeting the crowds of people who joined us to celebrate the newest opening of the Lidl store in my hometown of Cookstown,” said Hughes.

“It’s great to see the local community gather to witness the timely upgrade of the first Lidl store in Northern Ireland, over 25 years after its original opening in 1999.

“It’s a huge milestone for the area, and I’m proud to be a part of it and see Lidl’s ongoing commitment to investment in our local area.”

The event also featured donations to local charities Lilac and Rural Support, as well as special giveaways to the first ten customers through the doors.

A vision for the future

(L-R) Chair Cllr Frances Burton (Mid Ulster District Council); Aaron Hughes (Former Northern Ireland Football Captain); Paul Stewart (Sales Operations Manager, Lidl Northern Ireland); Sarah McKenna (Sales Operations Director, Lidl Northern Ireland); Sarah Law (Lidl Cookstown Store Manager); Gordon Cruikshanks (Regional Managing Director, Lidl Northern Ireland)

Commenting on the launch, Gordon Cruikshanks, Regional Managing Director for Lidl Northern Ireland, said:

“This marks a particularly historic moment for Lidl Northern Ireland as we open our new Cookstown location, situated right beside the site of our very first store in the region over 25 years ago. Since launching in Northern Ireland in 1999, we have grown to become a trusted retailer serving communities across the region. It’s only fitting that we continue to invest in Cookstown, the place where it all began.

“From our beginnings as a single store, to now operating in 43 locations across Northern Ireland, this growth reflects our ongoing commitment to the region, and our dedication to providing high-quality products at market-leading prices. We’re proud to welcome over 500,000 customers weekly and to work with more than 60 local suppliers.”

The new Cookstown store is Lidl Northern Ireland’s second opening this month, following the launch of a sustainability-focused store in Newcastle, County Down.

Sustainability at the core

Reflecting Lidl’s sustainability strategy, the Cookstown site has been constructed using energy-efficient materials and technology, including LED lighting, heat pumps, and PV solar panels. The store aligns with Lidl’s wider environmental targets, including its pledge to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The project also forms part of Lidl’s broader investment in modernising its Northern Ireland store portfolio, offering customers a better, greener, and more convenient shopping experience.