Jobs boost for Cookstown with opening of two new stores

More than 60 jobs have been created with the opening of two new businesses in Cookstown.
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The news comes as retail outlets are poised to reopen as the Covid restrictions are eased across Northern Ireland

The £1.4m Dunman store is the 100th store to be opened by Centra and is owned by the Conway family.

It opened its doors just over a week ago and business has been good.

Store owners, the Conway family – Daniel Conway, Peter Conway, Martin Conway,
Declan Conway and with Musgrave Managing Director Trevor Magill.Store owners, the Conway family – Daniel Conway, Peter Conway, Martin Conway,
Declan Conway and with Musgrave Managing Director Trevor Magill.
Store owners, the Conway family – Daniel Conway, Peter Conway, Martin Conway, Declan Conway and with Musgrave Managing Director Trevor Magill.

Peter Conway said: “We are proud to have opened the doors of Centra Dunman Cookstown and look forward to welcoming customers instore and providing them with a one-stop shop for modern convenience.

“Our first week trading has been a busy one and I would like to thank my team here for all their hard work in providing such a great service for our customers.”

Trevor Magill, managing director for Musgrave in Northern Ireland said: “We have ambitious plans for our network with the focus clearly on our vision to ‘redefine convenience’ in Northern Ireland.

“The development of new stores is a big part of that vision and Centra Dunman Cookstown is the latest example of our stores responding to the changing needs of the busy consumer.

“We are delighted to be working with the Conway family and wish Martin, Peter, Daniel and Declan every success.”

Poundland’s new store is in addition to its premises at James Street.

According to the firm the Orritor Retail Park store will carry a full range of their products.

Olivia McLoughlin, Poundland Ireland retail country manager, said they were looking forward to opening the new store on Saturday.

She said: “We’re excited about our new store opening in Cookstown as we expand our presence across Mid Ulster following the opening of our new Dungannon store in December.

“We already have fantastic loyal customers visiting our James Street Poundland store in Cookstown, who we will continue to welcome there. We can’t wait to sayhello to even more people in our additional local location.

“We’re delighted to be joining our new neighbours at the Orritor Retail Park and are really looking forward to opening our doors there, showcasing the amazing value we offer.”

She stressed like all Poundland stores, Cookstown will operate to the highest standards of safety with barrier screens at checkouts and thorough and regular cleaning regimes applied across the day. Customers are asked to observe government guidelines on social distancing and wearing masks.

Meantime, the Centra Dunman store offers a wide range of options for breakfast, lunch and dinner, there is something for everyone either travelling home in the evening, on the road for work or out for the day with the family.

Amenities in store include Frank and Honest Coffee, the largest on-the-go gourmet coffee brand on the island of Ireland, Green Kitchen, a Centra salad concept designed for the consumer looking for a healthier option and the popular Nugelato ice-cream concession.

The new store features a Go Fuel forecourt as well as a large seating area, Wi-Fi and customer toilets.

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