Local hero Malachy opens new Tesco store

Malachy was nominated to carry out the opening by Molly Hamill for his 'fantastic voluntary work' in Crumlin which includes taking elderly people for their pensions, cutting their grass and doing their shopping.

Store Manager Janine Southall said: "After all the months of hard work, it has been wonderful to finally be able to open the store to the local community."

The new store will be open from 6am until midnight Monday to Saturday and 1pm until 6pm on a Sunday and has 259 parking spaces – including parent and child and special needs parking.

Store Director Stephen Cochrane said: "This new store is a further demonstration of our commitment to our Northern Ireland customers, suppliers and the local economy.

"The aim is to keep shoppers in the area and by offering greater choice and more services in a modern, purpose-built store, we are confident that this will encourage local customers to shop in Crumlin.

"This is a very exciting time for the area and I would like to thank the local residents, groups and organisations for their support and patience during the construction of this store."

Local MLA Thomas Burns said the opening of the new store would give the Main Street in Crumlin a 'much needed shot in the arm'.

"Residents will also be pleased the disruption brought about by the building work is finished" he said. "Local traders have voiced their concerns to me about the impact on trade. I do share their fears about the knock on effect that Tesco may have on business, but I am optimistic that this represents a new beginning for the town.

"The Main Street has been in a slow decline for a very long time. Most local people travel to Antrim or Lisburn for their big shopping trips. I hope they will now choose to stay in Crumlin and spend their money not only in Tesco but in all the other local shops."

* Tesco has dismissed speculation that a petrol station was going to be built in nearby land and that a cafe would open in the store soon.

A spokesperson said: "Tesco defintely do not have any plans to build a petrol station nor will there be a cafe in the store. They are all rumours."