Date set for opening of new Aldi supermarket in Tullamore

The new Aldi store located on the former Texas site in Tullamore is to open on October 31, in plenty of time for Christmas.

Work began on the 1,644 square metre retail store in May of this year and people have been amazed at the progress made to date.

The new supermarket is the town's second Aldi store and will create 30 new permanent jobs while up to 50 jobs are being supported during the construction period.

Aldi has initiated a recruitment campaign to hire 20 open roles in Offaly. The retailer, marking 25 years in business in Ireland this year, is looking to recruit new team members ahead of the busy Christmas period. A number of the roles will be at Aldi's second Tullamore store,

 Brian O’Shea, HR Director at ALDI Ireland, said, ''the new Tullamore store represents an investment of €10.5 million, as ALDI continues to bring its famed value and unbeatable prices to the communities it operates in. The retailer spent more than €23 million with six Offaly-based suppliers last year.Since opening its first store in the country 25 years ago, ALDI’s network has grown to 162 stores, and ALDI has invested more than €10 billion with Irish suppliers.''

Meanwhile the site opposite the new store looks forlorn as a massive development planned for the Tesco site was refused by both Offaly County Council and An Bord Pleanala earlier this year.

The applicant Cayenne Holdings sought to construct 204 apartments, retail, office and childcare facilities in six blocks ranging in height from 2-13 storeys and all associated development and site works on the former Tesco/Texas site between Patrick Street, Offaly Street and Kilbride Plaza. The development included refurbishment of a protected structure (D.E. Williams House).

The Board Pleanala inspector said that the development if constructed would have a ''significant negative impact on the town of Tullamore and would of itself negate the visual amenity and rich streetscape of the town to such an extent that its legacy would overwhelm and smother the established core while irrevocably damaging the townscape.''

This part of the site now remains an eyesore with the old Tesco store in serious disrepair.