LIDL OFFERS REWARD AS THIEVES STEAL LIAM GALLAGHER PLAQUE FROM STORE

Supermarket giant Lidl is offering a reward after a blue plaque honouring Oasis star Liam Gallagher was stolen from one of its Manchester stores.

The budget retailer installed the plaque in June to commemorate that the Oasis star 'almost played here'.

The mimics the style of English Heritage's familiar blue signs, which are placed on buildings or public places to commemorate a link between the location and a famous person or event.

But it went missing last month, to the dismay of locals and tourists who have been visiting the spot to take pictures with it.

Now, the German retailer is offering a £500 voucher for anyone who can bring it safely back to the Newton Heath store.

The plaque was installed after a joke made by Liam went viral online.   

The former Oasis frontman was scheduled to perform on his Definitely Maybe anniversary tour at the then-under-construction Manchester venue in June. 

But after the venue axed a series of gigs, including those by comedian Peter Kay and American singer Olivia Rodrigo, fans feared that Liam's show could face the chop too. 

Replying to a fan who asked what the plan was if Co-op Live was to cancel his Manchester performances, the star posted 'Gig in Lidl' to his 3.6 million followers on X. 

The widely-shared post was met with memes and jokes from fans, with Lidl even chiming in themselves by posting: 'We're gonna roll with it.' 

Lidl jumped on the opportunity to collaborate with the former Oasis frontman, suggesting a set list for his performance at 'Lidl Arena' which included songs like Don't Look Back in Hanger and Champagne Superoffer - and announcing they would unique a blue plaque. 

At the time, Lidl said: 'The memory will live forever at the Newton Heath store in Manchester – a stone's throw from where the frontman has been confirmed to play.'

The plaque read ''LIAM GALLAGHER, LEGEND 'ALMOST PLAYED HERE' JUNE 2024.' 

But the tribute, which was intended to remain indefinitely on the exterior wall of the store, has now gone missing after it was targeted by thieves.  

However, more than five months on, the plaque has now gone missing. Lidl executives are keen to get the sign back and so have issues a £500 bounty for its return. 

A Lidl spokesperson said: “With no leads as to its whereabouts, we are now issuing a plea to the public, hopeful that the iconic memento can find its way back home ahead of Christmas.'  

Gallagher is set to reunite with older brother Noel for a hotly anticipated reunion tour that will see Oasis play stadiums across the UK next year. 

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2024-12-01T21:46:32Z