Discount chain is to create up to 50 new jobs

The family-run company already has a store at Glenmount Retail Park on Longwood Road, but is moving to a larger store further along the road.

The current Newtownabbey store’s manager Liam Parker, who will be deputy manager of the new premises, revealed: “We will close our doors to the old store on October 25 and will open the new store on October 31.

“Workmen are currently fitting out the former PC World and Spinning Wheel stores on the Longwood Road which are being renovated in order to prepare our new 22,000 sq ft store.

“We have decided to open the new store for expansion. The current store has reached its peak.”

Significantly, the store manager says that the move will lead to new job creation for the area.

He stated: “We have about 22 staff and will take on 40-50 staff. Our work force in the new store will be around 60 people.

“We are currently going through the recruitment process, which will end next week.”

Liam says that the decision to open a larger store is a mark of B&M Stores’ confidence in the Newtownabbey area.

He added: “It is a big investment going into the community and the area.”

Whereas in 2004 the chain had only 21 stores and one distribution centre, this has now grown to four distribution centres and over 380 stores nationwide.

The discount retailer employs over 17,000 staff in its stores across the UK. It also owns a majority stake in German discount retailer JA Woll.

The chain, which launched in 1978, says that three million customers visit its stores nationwide every week and boasts the slogan ‘big brands, big savings.’

Earlier this year the company was listed on the London Stock Exchange to support its growth plans in the UK and continental Europe.