New store great news for Lisburn says city’s Mayor

Business was visibly brisk as early-bird shoppers flocked to Bow Street to check out the new Express store, hailed by Mr Ewing as “great news for Lisburn”.

Purchase made, the Mayor joined Alderman James Tinsley, Councillor Scott Carson, store manager John Torbitt and some of his staff for a brief ceremony, cutting the ribbon and declaring the store officially open for business.

Also on hand was Emma Corry of Tesco’s main charity partner, Diabetes UK, for whom the retail giant has raised some £15 million across the UK.

Encouraged by what he called a “fantastic” start to the day’s trade, Mr Torbitt, still in the process of recruiting to fill out his staff complement of 18, held out the hope of additional jobs in future if business remained buoyant.

“This is a great start for the first Tesco Express store in Lisburn,” he added, “and we are very much looking forward to being a part of the local community, as well as hopefully bringing more business into Bow Street.”

Mr Ewing too said the new store could only help boost business locally, not least Lisburn’s night-time economy.

“This is great news for Lisburn,” he said.

“The local community has very much been looking forward to the store opening.

“It adds to the excellent retail offering in our city centre.

“This will increase footfall and be of great help to other local businesses in the area.”

The Mayor said he was particularly delighted that Tesco Express would be opening until 9pm daily.

“This will be a tremendous boost to our local night-time economy,” he said, “and I wish Tesco well for the future.”