Job Losses As Border Retailer Closes

There were mixed messages this week with jobs lost as one border retailer closed down, while new positions were being created as another opened in the same region.

Some 27 jobs have gone with the closure of Supervalu at the Retail Park in Letterkenny.

Owners Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland made the announcement, citing the "current economic difficulties" as the reason behind the closure.

It's bad news as Christmas looms for the 16 full time and 11 part time staff even though the owners said that qualifying staff are being paid statutory redundancy plus two and a half weeks pay for every year of service.

It's a fresh blow for Letterkenny - a border town that has this week seen a huge increase in cross-border activity.

Even local banks have been reported to be running low on Sterling, such has been the demand from those heading to Co Londonderry for festive shopping, on foot of the news that the British Government is cutting VAT.

However, the shock move is not a direct result of this week's news on tax cuts in the North - although that will have reinforced the company's decision.

Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland revealed it has been anticipating the closure over the past number of months, as the store "has been performing below expectations" for quite a while.

In stark counterpoint though, a new venture, a German-owned Aldi is opening its doors this morning in Dungloe.

The opening of the store in West Donegal will create 15 jobs and is expected to have a significant effect on the local economy.

Aldi - short for ALbrecht Discount - is an international, low-cost supermarket chain based in Germany.

See: Booze News Isn't Good For Donegal

(BMcC/KMcA)