SuperValu gets Bantry go-ahead

YOU wait ages for a new supermarket to come along and then ... two arrive!

An €8m supermarket at Harbour View in Bantry has been given the go-ahead after An Bord Pleanála upheld Cork County Council’s decision to grant it planning permission.

This is the second piece of positive retail news for the town in as many months. In December, it was announced that Lidl could progress its plans for another supermarket, at Newtown in Bantry.

The owner of SuperValu, Jim O’Keeffe, confirmed to The Southern Star this week that his supermarket would be relocating to Harbour View and that – at 1,672 sq m – it will be 700 sq m bigger than the existing SuperValu shop at New Street.

‘We are hoping to start construction in early March,’ said Mr O’Keeffe, ‘and be up and running in time for Christmas.’ As well as continuing to employ 90 people in the locality, Mr O’Keeffe said they also hoped to create 20 new jobs.

‘It is a huge investment,’ he said, ‘and we are absolutely delighted with the result. We were refused planning permission on this site two years ago, so we’ve been at this for four years.’ Mr O’Keeffe also confirmed that the town centre premises will be redeveloped for other retail uses.

A local woman who had campaigned for greater consumer choice in the Bantry area, Amy O’Sullivan, welcomed the announcement saying: ‘This is going to provide more choice for families, and it is going to make the town centre even more vibrant. It is great news for everyone.’