Lynas expansion aims to create 100 jobs with roll-out of outlet stores
ONE of Northern Ireland’s biggest food distribution firms is planning to create more than 100 jobs with the roll-out of 10 ‘outlet’ stores.
Lynas Foodservice, which is based in Coleraine, is set to open its latest large warehouse and food store in Bangor, creating 10 to 12 jobs.
It’s also planning up to 10 additional stores over the next five years with the creation of 100plus jobs.
Lynas in Coleraine supplies chilled and frozen foods to food outlets, businesses and public bodies. It’s now planning to take a large unit at West Circular Retail Park, to build a “storage and distribution unit with trade counter cash and carry sales”.
The firm now has annual sales of more than £108m, according to its latest accounts, and employs 375 staff.
A spokeswoman said: “Over the next five years we want to open more stores and build on the success in Coleraine, Belfast, Londonderry and Newry.
“We are prepared to invest in Bangor as we believe in the area and with this in mind the Lynas Food Outlet will create 10-12 new jobs for the area.”
Lynassaiditisduetoopenanother food outlet in Ballymena in September with a “growth plan toopenafurther10overthenext few years”.
A spokeswoman said: “With a Lynas Food Outlet we provide the benefits of a foodservice distributor in a store.
“Inside our warehouse, the customer will have access to the same superb Lynas Foodservice quality products in both case and individual quantities to meet the needs of a large restaurant or a social party.”
The company was founded 70 years ago by Bobby Lynas when he opened a small fishmongers on Brook Street in Coleraine.
His son Norman joined the business aged 16 after his father suffered a heart attack and was responsible for its move into frozen food.
The company is now led by Bobby’s grandson Andrew, and has also developed a butchery offering, Causeway Prime.
Just this month Norman Lynas was awarded an OBE for “services to the business sector, to charity and the community in Northern Ireland”.