Larger Lidl Supermarket and Drive-Through Cafe Approved in Carrickfergus

Plans for a significantly larger Lidl supermarket and new drive-through cafe on Belfast Road in Carrickfergus have been approved. The development will involve demolishing the existing supermarket, constructing a modern replacement and creating additional jobs.

Major Lidl Carrickfergus Expansion Gets Planning Approval

Plans for a major Lidl Carrickfergus expansion have been given the green light by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.

The development will see the existing Lidl supermarket at 75D Belfast Road demolished and replaced with a considerably larger store.

A new drive-through cafe, improved access arrangements, landscaping and associated site works also form part of the approved plans.

The proposals received unanimous approval from the council’s Planning Committee during a meeting at The Braid in Ballymena on Thursday 15 October 2026.

The decision follows an earlier redevelopment scheme approved in December 2023. However, the latest plans provide a larger supermarket and a smaller drive-through cafe.

Residents can view the development details using planning application LA02/2025/0421/F on the Northern Ireland Planning Portal.

How Much Bigger Will the New Lidl Carrickfergus Be?

The replacement supermarket will be approximately 69% larger than the existing building, providing significantly more space for customers.

The approved development includes the following floor areas:

• Existing Lidl supermarket: 1,518 square metres.
• Supermarket approved in 2023: 2,298 square metres.
• Newly approved Lidl supermarket: 2,563 square metres.
• Previously approved drive-through cafe: 292 square metres.
• Newly approved drive-through cafe: 162 square metres.

The latest plans increase the supermarket’s gross floor area by 1,045 square metres compared with the existing building.

Meanwhile, the proposed drive-through cafe will be approximately 45% smaller than the facility approved under the earlier development scheme.

The larger supermarket is intended to provide a more spacious shopping environment, with wider aisles and improved accessibility.

Why Is Lidl Expanding Its Carrickfergus Store?

The redevelopment has been proposed in response to increased customer demand.

Lidl has operated from its Belfast Road premises since 2010, serving customers from Carrickfergus and surrounding communities.

The retailer believes the existing supermarket is no longer large enough to meet demand.

The replacement building will provide additional retail space and wider aisles, making it easier for customers to move around the supermarket.

Improved accessibility for people with mobility requirements was also highlighted during consideration of the planning application.

The development forms part of Lidl’s wider investment ambitions across Northern Ireland.

In February 2026, Lidl announced plans to expand its Northern Ireland store network to more than 60 locations by 2032, subject to planning and development approvals.

Further information about the retailer’s expansion ambitions is available on the official Lidl Northern Ireland corporate website.

New Jobs Expected from Carrickfergus Lidl Development

The approved development is also expected to create additional employment opportunities in Carrickfergus.

Employment estimates presented during the planning process indicate that the replacement Lidl supermarket could support approximately 40 jobs, including 18 new positions.

A further 20 jobs are expected to be associated with the proposed drive-through cafe.

Together, the proposals could create approximately 38 additional jobs at the Belfast Road development.

However, these figures remain projections, and no recruitment timetable has been confirmed.

Anyone interested in future Lidl employment opportunities can visit the official Lidl Northern Ireland careers website.

New Drive-Through Cafe Included in Approved Plans

A new drive-through cafe will be developed alongside the replacement Lidl supermarket.

The cafe will have a gross floor area of 162 square metres, considerably smaller than the 292-square-metre facility approved under the previous plans.

The latest proposal also changes the location of the cafe within the development site.

Although the revised plans have received planning permission, the identity of the future drive-through operator has not been confirmed in the information available.

Further details may become available as the project progresses.

Concerns Raised About Impact on Carrickfergus Town Centre

During the planning discussion, concerns were raised about how the proposed drive-through cafe could affect existing businesses in Carrickfergus town centre.

Coast Road councillor Angela Smyth questioned whether another cafe outside the town centre could have an impact on smaller independent establishments.

However, representatives of the development highlighted that the latest drive-through proposal is smaller than the facility previously approved for the site.

Planning officers also considered the potential effect of the supermarket expansion on existing retailers.

The estimated impact on Carrickfergus town-centre retail turnover was approximately 2% to 3%.

Officers concluded that this was not significant enough to warrant refusal of the application.

Sainsbury’s and Tesco were identified as the supermarkets most likely to experience a competitive impact from the larger Lidl store.

Councillors Unanimously Approve Redevelopment

Following consideration of the application, Alderman Paul Reid proposed accepting the recommendation to grant planning permission.

The proposal was seconded by Alderman Reuben Glover.

Members of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Planning Committee subsequently voted unanimously in favour of the development.

The approval allows the proposed replacement supermarket and relocated drive-through cafe to progress, subject to the relevant planning conditions.