JOHN Henderson Group, which operates the Spar and VG foodstores in Northern Ireland, has announced a £4 million sterling investment in a new purpose built fresh and chilled storage facility at its ten acre distribution centre at Mallusk, north of Belfast.

The group is also planning to extend its chain of Vivo convenience stores in the Republic, its deputy managing director, Mr Ken Mawhinney, has stated.

"We're going to grow the business down there just as we have grown it here," Mr McWhinney said, "through a combination of company owned sites and independent stores.

"There are already very well established symbol groups down there, such as Spar, Supervalu, and Centra. But we believe that there is great potential in that market, and we are aiming to have around 100 stores up and running under the Vivo banner by the end of next year.