ALMOST EXACTLY a month since SuperValu in the Abbey Centre closed its doors, a new chain opened in its place yesterday (Monday) in the form of EuroGiant.

Speculation had been rife as to where the discount chain would set up shop after it emerged that they would be moving into Enniscorthy, however, the old SuperValu premises represented the ideal location, having not been vacant for long and therefore requiring minimal work. Another factor understood to have been key in the selection of the premises by EuroGiant was the parking available for shoppers to come and go as they please, with the store also situated in a central location.

While the loss of 24 full and part-time jobs at SuperValu came as a devastating blow to the local economy, the presence of the new retailer in the Abbey Centre is a welcome one, creating a total of 17 full time and part time staff.

Work had been underway on the premises for just over a week and shop-fitters could be seen coming and going before a flurry of activity saw all of the stock delivered before signage was erected both in the mall and on Mill Park Road.

EuroGiant is owned by the EuroGeneral group which also owns PoundGiant in Northern Ireland. The store sells everything from homeware and stationary to regular shopping items such as toiletries and foodstuffs and there was certainly a flurry of interest from local shoppers keen to pick up a bargain as the shop opened its doors for the first time yesterday.

EuroGiant which opened in The Abbey Centre yesterday. Pic: Jim Campbell