Plans to build a multi-million pound Tesco store in Crumlin have been given the go-ahead by Antrim Borough Council.

The store will be constructed on the site of the former Cattle Market in the Main Street.

Tesco will create up to 250 local flexible jobs at the new store, which will have a sales floor of 30,000 square feet.

Although this is considerably smaller than the nearby stores in Lisburn or Antrim, Tesco said the store will still be large enough for customers to do their main grocery shopping in the town.

Colin Hampsey, Corporate Affairs Manager for Tesco, said: "We are delighted that we will be able to provide the local people of Crumlin and the surrounding area with this much anticipated Tesco store, which will offer them a wider range of products than currently available in the town.

-- Advertisement --

"The support of this application from the council confirms that this scheme is fully compliant with planning policy and we look forward to bringing Tesco into the heart of Crumlin," he added.

Tesco amended its original proposals to provide better pedestrian access, improve road layout for the roundabout at the entrance/exit and enhance landscaping to improve the boundary for the store's neighbours.

The new store will offer free carparking for around 300 vehicles.

Tesco has pledged to recruit as many people as possible from the local area.

Formal issue of planning permission for the Tesco in Crumlin will follow within a few weeks and the company plans to open the store in 2009.

Job opportunities will be advertised in due course and a local Tesco recruitment centre will open in the area at that time.

(PR/JM)