A supermarket project in Co Antrim will secure construction jobs for around 250 people at a time when the industry is struggling.

As revealed exclusively on Tesco's Sandyknowes Centre Underway work started on the brand-new Tesco Extra and petrol filling station earlier this month.

It is being built as part of the multi-million pound Sandyknowes Shopping Centre - replacing the out-dated Northcott Shopping Centre in Glengormley.

Newtownabbey-based builder, McLaughlin & Harvey, is behind the new centre with the firm set to ensure that people living close to developments are inconvenienced as little as possible while work takes place - as a member of the Considerate Constructors' Scheme.

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Northcott Shopping Centre will have to be demolished meaning Tesco in Northcott will close for the final time at 6.00pm this Saturday, 23rd April.

However, Tesco will provide a free shuttle bus service to take customers to Tesco, Carnmoney Road or Tesco, Newtownabbey, just above the Abbey Centre, while the new store is under construction.

Shane Murphy, Property Manager for Tesco in Northern Ireland, said: "We are delighted that work is starting on the contemporary Sandyknowes Shopping Centre.

"Tesco will return as the anchor tenant with a store that is around twice the size of our current Northcott store.

"The existing building is out-dated so the current owners, Blanca Developments, obtained planning permission for a rebuild," he explained.

"We realise that a lot of customers live close to Northcott and walk to the store, so we are providing a free shuttle bus to our neighbouring stores, to minimise any inconvenience to customers.

"A timetable for this service is available at the customer services desk of our current Northcott store," he said, noting that all employees will be accommodated in our neighbouring stores while the Centre is being built.

"They will return when the new store opens, complemented by a wide range of new full and part-time retail positions."

It is hoped that the new Tesco Extra will open pre-Christmas.

See: McLaughlin And Harvey Scoop Tesco Northcott

(BMcC/GK)