Fair City fans braced for change with major revamp amid RTÉ deal with supermarket giant

There's a new arrival in RTÉ's Carrigstown, and it's not another long-lost relative or a dramatic new love interest. Instead, a major supermarket retailer is setting up shop in Ireland's most famous fictional neighbourhood.

In a move that has Fair City fans buzzing, retail giant Lidl has announced that it is officially breaking ground on a brand-new supermarket in Carrigstown as part of a three-year partnership with RTÉ.

The store, which is currently under construction on set, will be unveiled in the summer, bringing a slice of the discount retailer to the small screen.

While long-time viewers will remember Spar and Doyle's Corner Shop as the go-to grocery spots in Carrigstown, Lidl's arrival is shaking things up.

The new store will have its own dedicated set, complete with its signature in-store bakery, a Deposit Return Scheme machine, and even EV chargers for those environmentally conscious Carrigstown residents.

The big question on everyone's lips - who will be running the show at Lidl Carrigstown? It turns out that beloved character Renee Phelan is swapping café chats for checkout queues as she takes up the role of store manager.

Fair City's Executive Producer, Brigie de Courcy, commented: "We are thrilled to welcome Lidl as the new on-screen store in Fair City. Their commitment to supporting local communities aligns perfectly with the spirit of Carrigstown, and we're excited to bring this partnership to life on screen.
"The shop is a central meeting point for the community and this collaboration opens up exciting new storytelling possibilities. The beloved Renee Phelan will soon take up her new position as Store Manager at Lidl Carrigstown," she added.

"We look forward to seeing how Lidl's presence enhances the vibrant world of Fair City for our viewers."

Lidl's arrival will be a major feature in storylines over the next three years, with characters shopping and interacting in the store just like in real life. And, of course, it wouldn't be Fair City without some juicy drama like price wars or a scandal at the bakery counter.

As Lidl marks its 25th anniversary in Ireland, this move ensures that the brand becomes part of everyday life in Carrigstown.

Turning the sod at Lidl's new Carrigstown store on the set of Fair City, Lidl Ireland Senior Project Manager Tom Mughal said: "Fair City is synonymous with Irish culture, so it's only fitting that Lidl marks its 25th anniversary in Ireland by announcing a new, high profile product placement deal with the soap and the development of a brand-new Lidl Carrigstown store.

"We'll see characters interacting with our new Lidl Carrigstown store manager Renee and the store will incorporate all of Lidl's latest in-store activity to support our wider sponsorships including with Ladies' Gaelic Football Association and our charity partner Family Carers Ireland.

"We're also looking forward to promoting our quality product range through product placement in the show, offering a chance to profile our extensive range of products sourced from our large network of Irish suppliers.

"After 25 years of serving communities across Ireland, it's fantastic to have our brand integrated into such an iconically Irish show and we look forward to promoting the partnership through our extensive store network, in-store leaflet and Lidl Plus app."

For now, fans will have to wait and see what chaos, confrontations, and maybe even romance unfolds between the fruit and veg aisle and the checkout.