Tesco opening should boost Main Street Crumlin

Friday 13 August 2010

SDLP South Antrim MLA Thomas Burns has welcomed Tesco to Crumlin saying he hoped the opening of the shopping centre would give the whole Main Street of the town a ‘much needed shot in the arm’. He was speaking after attending a guided tour of the shop prior to its official opening.

He commented: "This shop has been a long time in the planning stages and I am delighted to see it finally open. It represents a significant investment in both the infrastructure and people of Crumlin.

"It cannot be denied that the old cattle market was an eyesore and the building of Tesco has completely reinvigorated the area. They have brought a lot of jobs to Crumlin too, around 200, and the store has employed a lot of local people.

"Although must people will welcome the new store, residents will also be pleased that the disruption brought about by the building work is also finished.

"The construction of the new mini-roundabout and re-alignment of the road has been particularly inconvenient and traffic flow has been seriously disrupted, but that is now over.

He added: "Local traders have voiced their concerns to me about the impact on trade and I have listened intently to them. I do share their fears about the knock on effect that Tesco may have on business, but I am optimistic that this represents a new beginning for the town.

"The Main Street has been in a slow decline for a very long time. Most most local people travel to Antrim or Lisburn for their big shopping trips. I hope they will now choose to stay in Crumlin and spend their money not only in Tesco but in all the other local shops."