New retail outlet to bring jobs boost

The discount retailer is investing around £500,000 in the new outlet, which will be located in the former Woodsides department store building at Granges Street.

The main shop unit within the prominent town centre property has been lying vacant since Woodsides closed down in November 2011 with the loss of around 30 jobs.

The new 20,000 sq/ft Home Bargains store, which will sell food items, health and beauty products and homewares, will be officially opened by Deputy Mayor Pat McCudden on Saturday morning, July 12.

“With Woodsides having gone, I am delighted that we now have another business opening up in the building and bringing jobs to the area,” the Alliance alderman said.

“The population of Ballyclare is large enough, I believe, to support another store of this size. And any injection of jobs or any further commercial addition, on balance, will be good for the town.”

Home Bargains has confirmed that the new jobs will be a mixture of full-time and part-time positions.

Joe Morris, the company’s operations director, added: “We’re excited to be opening our first store in Ballyclare, and look forward to welcoming new customers through our doors.

“Granges Street will be a great location for us - we’re thrilled to be in a position to offer locals top branded goods, at exceptionally low prices.”

Home Bargains has more than 300 outlets across the UK, 14 of which are in Northern Ireland.