Áine Ryan
IT may have been blighted by one setback after another but Westport’s multinational discount retailer, Lidl, is set to open this Thursday morning at 8am, well in time for the Christmas shopping bonanza.
The new store, located at the Demesne, off the Newport Road, will create 15 new jobs.
Manager, John Fadden said: “I am really looking forward to welcoming all of the Westport locals to our new store. Lidl are delighted to be eventually opening in Westport, especially after just celebrating our eleventh year in Ireland last summer. We have so many exciting activities planned for the opening, there really is something for everyone and it promises to be a great local event for all the families and anyone else who wants to come along and join the fun.”
According to the National Consumer Agency Lidl is Ireland’s cheapest supermarket.
Speaking to The Mayo News yesterday, the Cathaoirleach of Westport Town Council, Cllr Christy Hyland said: “Of course I welcome any new development in the town that gives the consumer a broader range of choices in these difficult times. But the opening of Lidl must balance with our commitment in Westport to the many small retailers who have given this town a great service for many decades.”
Meanwhile, The Mayo News asked a Lidl spokeswoman to confirm the status of compensation claims made by local residents after a serious oil spill on-site last January which damaged cars and houses.
In response the spokeswoman stated: “Lidl is aware of open claims against the insurance of Aidan Elliott Construction and we are working closely with local residents to ensure that this matter is resolved.”
Last August The Mayo News exclusively revealed that construction of the supermarket had come to a halt after the previous contractor, Aidan Elliott Construction Ltd, left the site owing almost €350,000 to sub-contractors.