A new state-of-the-art EUROSPAR has opened in Portaferry bringing 10 new jobs to the local area.

The £3million supermarket will replace the two former SPAR stores in the town square area of Portaferry and combines the adjacent hardware store and former bank buildings to create one community supermarket with 6,587 sq ft. of retail space available.

Following seven months of extensive renovation works, the store opened for business on Friday November 29th and builds on the long traditions of the McDonnell and Anderson families who have been trading in the town for over 200 years.

Mark McCammond, Retail Director at Henderson Group, owners of the EUROSPAR brand in Northern Ireland says this major investment  is part of the Group’s on-going strategy to showcase great local, fresh food ranges in a contemporary supermarket environment.

“We would like to thank Harry and Amy Anderson, and their extended family for all the support with this ambitious project. In particular, we thank them for the partnership we have enjoyed trading together over the last 40 years and we hope to continue their legacy as we embark upon a new era for the store.

“EUROSPAR Portaferry will offer shoppers a host of everyday essential services and products but, as the largest supermarket within the local area, will provide an enhanced shopping experience with over 6,500 products available to shop daily from 7am – 11pm. With our Tesco Price Match policy on over 900 lines, and ‘12 Deals of Christmas’ campaign, customers will find great value on even more of their favourite products..

“The layout of this store has been specifically designed not only to more than double the previous range but to create a more convenient shopping solution for Portaferry residents. We are pleased to offer shoppers 31 free carparking spaces and hope that the stress-free parking, our free-ATM and extended opening hours, will entice shoppers to the new store.

Darren Dickson, Store Manager at EUROSPAR Portaferry added; “We are really excited to complete this renovation and bring even more daily services to our local shoppers. The new store features our fullest range of product available, comprising lines from SPAR’s own brands, enjoy local; The Kitchen, The Greengrocers; a local artisan range and new restaurant-quality range, The Chef.

“We’re proud that over 75% of our fresh products are sourced from local suppliers plus we are delighted to work with award winning, traditional butchers,  H&J Carnduff for our in-store butchery counter.

“Shoppers can also browse our new Occasions area for flowers, gifts, cards and confectionery as well as our Kidz Zone, Daily Deli hot food bar , seating area with free Wi-Fi, Barista Bar coffee, and SPAR Bakery, with a fantastic range of fresh breads and pastries baked in store every day.”

The supermarket will support the EUROSPAR brand’s dedicated charity in Northern Ireland, Cancer Fund for Children. The partnership has recently surpassed the £1 million mark for fundraising thanks to many events during the year, including the flagship Community Coffee Morning event which EUROSPAR Portaferry will hold in March next year.

Darren continued; “We’re a Community Supermarket, and therefore we’ll not only provide goods and services to our local shoppers but extend our support and sponsorship to local teams and initiatives, keeping community at the forefront of everything we do. We’re looking forward to hosting our very own EUROSPAR Christmas Party – a free family event on Saturday December 14th both as a celebration of our new store and to help get all our customers and friends in the mood for the festive season.”

EUROSPAR Portaferry brings the total number of new stores from the Henderson Group to 8 this year and is the 9th Henderson Retail store now operational in the Ards Peninsula area.

For more information, visit eurosparni.co.uk.