Lidl stores generally do not have publicly accessible toilets, as they are not standard in all locations. While newer or remodeled stores may include them, it is not guaranteed. If needed, you can ask a staff member, as they may be able to assist, particularly for emergencies or in specific, larger, or redesigned branches.
It varies by location, but many newer or remodeled Aldi stores offer customer toilets, while older ones often only have staff facilities; it's best to check the store finder or ask an employee, as some stores have them but restrict access, while others don't have them at all. Aldi is actively upgrading stores to include public toilets and baby changing facilities, so availability is increasing.
Some customers also thought there should be a wider assortment of brands. Others had a few complaints about inconsistent service and items being out of stock. The common thread among some of the criticism seems to be that Lidl's merchandising mix is off.
From a free in-store bakery sweet treat when you spend just £10 in a month, to an incredible 10% off your next shop when you hit £250. The more you shop, the more you save. Don't miss those Lidl extras!
Is Lidl testing cameras to catch shoplifters at self checkouts?
Lidl's standard self-checkouts also feature a screen at eye level, and some play a messages to shoppers asking: 'Have you remembered to scan everything today? ' Lidl is trialling cameras at self-checkouts that can spot when a shopper fails to scan an item and play back the footage to show them.
In 2023, amid a widespread boycott movement against Israeli businesses and products, Lidl stores faced criticism after several customers in France and Belgium complained that the store mislabeled products of Israeli origin as originating from other countries, such as Morocco.
Yes, Lidl has a similar concept to Aldi's "Aisle of Shame," known as the "Middle of Lidl," featuring rotating, limited-time deals on surprise non-food and specialty grocery items like home goods, tools, apparel, and seasonal products, creating the same impulse-buy excitement. While Aldi calls it the "Aisle of Shame," Lidl's middle section offers similar unexpected finds, with new items dropping regularly and selling out fast.
At present, not all stores have facilities accessible to the public. We are currently in the process of redesigning our stores and welfare areas to ensure public access. However, if you ask a member of staff in store they will be happy to help you. Did you find this information helpful?
Is it illegal to refuse to let someone go to the toilet?
Yes, in many situations, it can be illegal or lead to legal issues to deny someone toilet access, especially at work where it's a health and safety violation and a potential discrimination claim under laws like the UK's Equality Act 2010, requiring reasonable adjustments for disabilities/health needs. For the general public, laws vary; private businesses (like shops) aren't always required to provide toilets, but refusing disabled individuals or denying basic sanitation can break laws, and schools must respect children's dignity and health, making blanket bans problematic.
How long can I be left without a toilet in the UK?
A toilet is classed as an urgent repair under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, which means landlords should arrange for it to be fixed as soon as possible. There's no set number of days outlined in the regulations, but because a toilet is an essential facility, it shouldn't be left out of action for long.
Refusing toilet access can be illegal, especially in the UK under the Equality Act 2010 if it discriminates against disabled or pregnant individuals, but generally, private businesses aren't required to provide customer toilets unless local rules or licensing demands it. In the US, many states have "Restroom Access Acts" (like Ali's Law) that mandate businesses allow people with certain medical conditions (like Crohn's, IBD) to use employee restrooms, but federal law doesn't yet require public access, leaving it to state-by-state rules.
Aldi has been the cheapest supermarket every month since November 2023 and it was also the overall cheapest supermarket last year. However, Lidl is invariably close behind and is the second-cheapest supermarket every month, charging £1.99 more than Aldi, on average, across 2024.
Aldi stands for Albrecht Discount, combining the founders' family name, Albrecht, with the German word for discount, "Diskont" (or "Diskont" in German). The brand was created by brothers Karl and Theo Albrecht after they took over their mother's grocery store in Germany, shortening the name to Aldi in the early 1960s as they expanded.
Lidl (Germany): 12,350 stores A major European discount grocer offering low prices and a limited assortment of mostly private-label products. ALDI (Germany): 12,000 stores Global discount supermarket chain with a streamlined, cost-efficient model and heavy use of Aldi-exclusive brands.
Asda has been named as the worst of the UK's major supermarkets in its treatment of suppliers. It dropped below Morrisons, which was bottom of the list last year, as the Bradford-based chain took action to improve its performance according to a survey of more than 1,200 grocery suppliers by the industry watchdog.
