Jobs under threat as Tesco axes Glengormley outlet

While the company’s lease on the premises expires in October, it’s thought that the outlet could close as early as August.

A total of 58 people are employed at the store on a full-time and part-time basis. And Tesco has said that while it can’t rule out the possibility of some redundancies, it will endeavour to redeploy as many staff as possible to other sites.

“Closing the store was a difficult decision and our priority is to look after our colleagues and wherever possible, offer them alternative jobs with Tesco,” a spokesman for the company said.

“We’ll continue to serve customers in Glengormley from our Extra store close-by in Northcott, our Superstore in Newtownabbey, our local Express stores and through our online grocery shopping service.”

Glengormley DUP Councillor Phillip Brett described the closure announcement as “disappointing”, but stressed that North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds and MLA Paula Bradley will be seeking a meeting with Tesco management in a bid to ensure that any job losses are kept to a minimum.

“Tesco management say that its proximity to their successful superstores at Northcott and Abbey Retail Park mean that it is just not viable any more. Along with party colleagues I have pressed Tesco on the issue of the 58 full and part-time staff at Carnmoney Road and have been assured that the company will be actively seeking to deploy them to their other stores,” Ms Bradley said.

Closure of the former Crazy Prices supermarket is likely to have a major impact on the several small businesses located at the Carnmoney Road site.

“The future of the smaller retailers located in the Carnmoney Road complex is also of concern and we will be seeking a meeting with the complex owners regarding their needs, as well as the prospects of securing new tenants for the main unit,” Ms Bradley added.