One of the first batch of up to 25 new Home Bargains stores set to be opened in Northern Ireland over the next three years will open in De Courcy Centre, Carrickfergus later this year. The Liverpool-based business intends to invest around £25 million in the move across the Irish Sea, which will create plenty of new retail job opportunities for staff at all levels. Operations director at Home Bargains Joe Morris said: “We’re very excited to be moving into Northern Ireland for the first time and are thrilled to be able to offer new jobs and new investment to the local economy in Carrickfergus.” Joint letting agent for the scheme Mark Thallon of TDK Commercial Property Consultants commented “The addition of Home Bargains to the centre is a great shot in the arm to the Carrickfergus retail offer as we have undoubtedly secured one of the UKs strongest retailers who will undoubtedly complement the existing retail provision which includes Iceland and New Look” TJ Morris, which recently secured second place on The Grocer’s 50 Largest Independent Grocers list, has ambitious plans to double in size over the next four years. By 2013, it expects to hit its billion pound turnover target, grow the number of stores nationwide to 350 and employ more than 10,000 staff.
The company’s ongoing success continues to buck the trend, as increasing numbers of retailers announce slumps in sales and experts warn that hopes of recovery on the high street may still be premature.
Joe Morris, operations director at TJ Morris, commented: “Whilst many high street retailers continue to suffer, we’ve opened 30 new stores over the past six months alone, and we’re about to launch our new £35 million distribution centre in Liverpool.”
Established over 30 years ago by Tom Morris, TJ Morris is now one of the largest companies based on Merseyside. Still family-owned and run, the company has over 180 stores across the North, Midlands and South Wales.