30 November 2017
By Mary Bermingham
mary@TheCork.ie
More than 100 will be employed at the new store at Harbour View, Bantry. Donal McCarthy, (39 yrs), Eileen O’Mahony, (39 yrs), Mary Holland, (37 yrs),Eileen Collins, (38 yrs), Ann Collins (38 Yrs). Martin Hourihan (41 yrs), also included is Proprietor, Jim O’Keeffe and Celebrity Chef, Martin Shanahan.Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan
A new, purpose built, state-of-the-art SuperValu was officially opened today (Thursday) at Harbour View in Bantry. The cutting of the ribbon to mark the new store opening was performed by 6 members of staff that together have 230 years service at O’Keeffe’s SuperValu in Bantry. Celebrity Chef Martin Shanahan, Sports Commentator Marty Morrissey and a number of local GAA legends were on hand to welcome shoppers to the new 16,700 sq. ft. SuperValu Bantry. More than 100 people will be employed at the new SuperValu in Bantry, which offers shoppers several new services and facilities. More than 100 local tradesman and builders with Murnane O’Shea were employed on site during construction also.
“We want to ensure the best possible shopping experience, choice and value for the people of Bantry and the surrounding area, and that is why we developed this new store at Harbour View with ample parking, a spacious showcase area for local producers, a café and barista style coffee dock, as well as our own onsite bakery, improved off licence ,cheese and olive bar and extended health and wellness range ,” said Jim O’Keeffe, Proprietor, SuperValu Bantry.
“It is also our incredible staff at SuperValu Bantry that add to the shopping experience at O’Keeffe’s and I’m proud to acknowledge today that many of our team have been working with us for several decades and it was really special to have the official opening performed by those whom together have over two centuries combined service.”
The new SuperValu in Bantry, which overlooks the stunning Bantry Bay and new marina, is located adjacent to a large car parking area and also has 65 overhead covered car spaces onsite. New facilities at the store include a café and restaurant, barista-style coffee dock, onsite bakery, off licence, extended health food range and cheese and olive bar. With an ample supply of artisan producers, the new SuperValu also includes a large area where local producers and SuperValu Food Academy participants can display their products and engage directly with consumers.
Commenting on the announcement, Martin Kelleher, Managing Director, SuperValu, said: “As Ireland’s leading grocery retailer, we are delighted to announce the opening of the new SuperValu store in Bantry. It demonstrates the strength of SuperValu’s independent community retail model and the demand for our special range of locally sourced produce combined with great value and choice for our customers. We are grateful for the loyalty of our shoppers in West Cork, and would like to acknowledge the commitment and investment made by Jim O’Keeffe in his local community with this new store.”
Store opening hours at the new O’Keeffe’s Supervalu are daily from 9am to 9pm
with online shopping and delivery service also available to customers.
SuperValu serves over 2.6 million customers every week and has 220 stores nationwide. Together with its retail partners, SuperValu employs approximately 14,500 colleagues, making it one of the State’s largest private sector employers. 75% of everything on SuperValu’s shelves is sourced in Ireland. SuperValu continues to source locally wherever possible which helps to sustain 30,000 jobs in the Irish economy.
