Sainsbury’s has taken over part of Northern Ireland’s largest independent supermarket retailer in a multi-million pound deal, it was announced today.
The UK multiple, which already has nine stores and employs 2,500 people in the province, has bought two supermarkets and a petrol station from Belfast-based Curley’s Supermarkets. The takeover of Curley’s stores in Belfast and Dungannon will add more than 500 people to Sainsbury’s payroll.
Sainsbury’s has been trying to increase its footprint in Northern Ireland for a considerable time, but reports claim that it has been made a slow process by Curley’s.
Curley’s will retain its 11 off-licences around the province and its supermarket in Belfast will remain under Curley’s ownership for up to two years whilst an expansion project is completed. However the Dungannon store will immediate become a Sainsbury’s store.
