45 jobs created at Miltown supermarket

FORTY-five full-time jobs have been created following the opening of the SuperValu supermarket in Miltown Malbay. The 12,500ft2 supermarket represents an investment of €5.5 million by local businessman John Jones, who is the seventh generation of his family in business in the town since the 1830s. The new store is located on the Ennis Road.
The development includes a sports complex and children’s playground, along with 132 car-parking spaces.
“I am proud to stand on the site of our new SuperValu store with my parents, Cyril and Patsy, who both still work in the business. This is a tremendous achievement for us to continue to build on a business that has been in our family through the generations,” Mr Jones said on Wednesday.
He said the opening day was exceptionally busy.
“We have 45 full-time staff taken on and we’ve had an extremely busy day. We’re delighted with the way the building turned out and there seems to be overwhelming support in the town, the community and down along the coast.
“Nearly 95% of those we have taken on live within a four-mile radius of Miltown. It’s going to give a good boost to the economy and people who are working in the area are spending in the area. It’s not just us who are going to get the spin-off. It will also help the other businesses in the town. We have a good tourist season coming up, which should be good for everyone. Miltown badly needs a boost to keep things going,” Mr Jones added.
He said they were determined to open for the summer season.
“We were working day and night for the last couple of weeks, trying to be finished. We were trying to open as soon as we could and I wanted to make sure we were ready for the summer season.
“We’re in time for the fleadh this weekend and we’re in time for Willie Clancy week,” he noted, adding that the store will offer variety to shoppers in West Clare.
“We are delighted to be able to offer the local Miltown Malbay community a top-class store that provides a quality shopping experience with an extensive range at the best possible value. As well as our fresh food offering and in-store expertise, our customers will be able to avail of additional services, such as purchasing GAA tickets and Payzone.
“Being from Miltown Malbay, I am proud that we have the opportunity to invest locally and employ people from the surrounding area, which will add to the overall shopping experience for our customers,” Mr Jones outlined.
Michael Morgan, SuperValu sales director, said, “This significant investment and job creation from John, a Miltown Malbay native, is a real demonstration of SuperValu and its retailers’ commitment to building vibrant local communities”.
SuperValu has 197 stores nationwide and 75% of everything on their shelves is sourced or produced in Ireland, contributing more than €1.6 billion to the Irish economy.