Northern Ireland's largest independent supermarket Curley's has sold its two flagship stores in a multimillion pound deal with Sainsbury's.
The family-owned company employs nearly 400 people in west Belfast and Dungannon. Under the deal, all staff will transfer to Sainsbury's. An additional 200 jobs will be created in the refurbishment and extension of the Andersonstown store in Belfast.
The move will increase Sainsbury's number of stores in Northern Ireland to 11.
Curley's owner Hugh Kennedy began business in 1969 with only £20 and a small fruit and vegetable shop on west Belfast's Glen Road.
Mr Kennedy was known by customers as "Curley" so he changed the name of the shop. The supermarkets now have annual turnover of £52 million (€69 million).
However, the independent retailer has experience some difficulties of late, with the the most recent accounts showing a slide in operating profit for the Dungannon and Belfast supermarkets.
Curley's also employs 200 people in off-licences and convenience stores across the North. The company will retain ownership of these along with two shopping centres - Kennedy Centre in west Belfast and the Oaks Centre in Dungannon.
"The Kennedy family has successfully traded in west Belfast for 38 years and for over 22 years in Dungannon, with the well established Curley's brand highly regarded for its quality and service," he said.
"In our view, Sainsbury's provides the most appropriate offer with regard to terms and conditions for our employees and in terms of the extensive choice of products, quality and value for money which will be available to our customers."
Neither Mr Kennedy nor Sainsbury disclosed the price paid for the two outlets.
In a statement, Sainsbury's director of retail Ken McMeikan said: "We are very much aware of the standing Curley's has in the communities it serves.
"We will endeavour to maintain and develop that reputation as a supermarket, which recognises the needs of its customers and strives to continually deliver a quality service."
The move has not been welcomed by everyone. The Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association has described the buyout as "disappointing" for the independent retail sector.
SDLP West Belfast MLA Alex Attwood agreed, adding: "It remains of deep concern that local businesses are finding it harder to compete with the big commercial hitters."
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams, whose family regularly shop in the store, voiced the opinions of many shoppers in Andersontown. "We also want to discuss with Sainsbury's its future relationship with the west Belfast community," he said.
"Curley's was very pro-active in supporting local community organisations and campaigns, including the use of bi-lingual signage.
"Inevitably also there will be concern among customers about what this will mean for prices on the supermarket shelf. This too is an issue we will be taking up with the new owners," he added.
