Sainsburys to close Craigavon store this weekend

In a statement Rushmere Shopping Centre said: “Please be advised that our Sainsbury’s store and petrol station will be closing this Saturday 26th February at 4pm.

Sainsbury’s supermarket was one of the flagship stores in Rushmere, which has lost Debenhams and the Five Guys restaurant over the past year.

The store opened in 1998 and has been a popular choice for many shoppers over the decades.

While some staff in Sainsbury’s have been redeployed at other stores, others have managed to find new jobs.

“Customers can continue to shop with us online and at our stores in the surrounding area, including our Sprucefield (Lisburn) supermarket, as well as our Dungannon and Armagh stores which also feature an Argos store for added convenience.

“We’re committed to serving our customers in Northern Ireland and continue to serve the local community through a number of stores and our popular groceries online service. Any decision to close a store is not taken lightly and is based on a range of factors. We wouldn’t break out figures but we understand this will be an unsettling time for those affected.”

Taryn Trainor of Unite the union said 97 employees were being made redundant.

“It is very disappointing that Sainsbury’s has stopped investing in the area,” said Taryn, adding that most of the staff had found alternative employment.

“It has caused a lot of upheaval and it has been very demoralising for the staff, some who have been working there for more than 20 years.

“My heart goes out to all those customers who were used to shopping at Sainsbury’s and had become familiar with the staff and store.”

Sainsbury’s has had stores in Northern Ireland since December 1996. It currently has 13 supermarkets and also owns the Argos chain.