At least 400 new jobs will be created when Asda opens a flagship store in Antrim, it was revealed today.
The £25 million (€28 million) development at the Junction One retail park will be thesupermarket’s largest store in Northern Ireland, and will offer food, household, fashion and electrical goods.
The news comes as a welcome boost after high street closures affecting Woolworths and Marks & Spencer, with other retailers suffering the effects of the spending slowdown.
Asda property communications manager Philip Bartram said: “Asda has already shown its commitment to help consumers through the harsh economic climate by announcing a wide range of price cuts in its stores.
“This investment comes at a time when unemployment figures in Northern Ireland are beginning to show the impact of recent economic difficulties, particularly in the retail sector.”
Asda released an artist’s impression of the proposed shop, which will also offer entertainment products and have 650 parking spaces.
Marks & Spencer plans to close its Simply Food store in Newtownards, with the loss of 37 jobs.
Woolworths’ 19 Northern Ireland stores have shut after the company called in administrators.
Earlier this week it was announced that more than 250 workers were to be maderedundant at Co Antrim engineering firm FG Wilson. The redundancies are to be made across sites in Larne, Springvale and Monkstown.
PA