New Craigavon Tesco store to be open by year-end as first sod is cut

Work has ‘officially ’ begun on Craigavon’s much -awaited Tesco Extra store which is set to deliver a £25m investment and 300 new retail jobs for the area.

The 42 week project will also provide employment for around 150 construction workers. Craigavon’s newly elected Mayor, Alderman Stephen Moutray MLA, joined representatives from Tesco, local building contractor, Turkington Holdings and invited guests for the formal sod-cutting ceremony at Highfield.

The new, modern store, which is being built on the vacant site adjacent to B&Q will include an 80,000sq ft sales area and will be the fifth Tesco Extra store in Northern Ireland.

Tesco Corporate Affairs Manager for Northern Ireland, Colin Hampsey, said the store would offer people a much wider range of food and a greater variety of product lines than are currently available in the area.

“Customer feedback has shown us that the Extra format is already extremely popular as it provides the wide range of food, non-food and services they expect from a larger Tesco store. We are also examining the possibility of a number of new services including a Tesco Direct catalogue facility, a digital help desk with experts on hand to provide assistance and an opticians.

“This major investment is good for shoppers and local ratepayers. Not only will it increase consumer choice, but it will generate significant rates’ income for the local council, and a significant all-round boost for the local economy.”

Trevor Turkington, Chief Executive of Portadown-based Turkington Holdings who are developing the store in partnership with Tesco, said: “The relationship between ourselves and Tesco goes back sever al years and we are committed to delivering a first class build on time and within budget. All told this important project will require around 150 construction workers. There is no doubt this is good news for the area in these challenging economic times.”

The Mayor of Craigavon, Alderman Stephen Moutray, MLA, welcomed the commencement of work on the new store, describing it as a ‘good news story for Craigavon’.

“This is valuable further investment in the centre of Craigavon which will, I trust, attract people from within and outside the Borough to the area. Today’s event is a real good news story for Craigavon and the jobs’ boost is significant at a time of economic downturn.

“I would also like to congratulate Tesco and Turkingtons on this important development and look forward to the benefit it will bring.”

As part of Tesco’s commitment to becoming a zero carbon business by 2050, this store will incorporate a number of environmentally-friendly initiatives. For example, the display cabinets have been redesigned to be more energy efficient and the in-store ovens will only use half the energy for baking bread than older models. Rainwater is also collected or ‘harvested’ and is then used to flush the toilets in the staff and customer areas. The store will be timber-cladded, enhanced glazing to make use of more natural light, roof lights to allow more light in and reduce power consumption as well as small wind turbines and LED lighting.

The car parking will be at street level with the shop above meaning that much of the free car park for 760 vehicles will be protected from the elements. In addition there will be dedicated spaces for parents with young children and those with disabilities.