Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
‘Brexit to blame for Sainsbury’s closure’
Union challenge as 109 jobs go
THE closure of a major Sainsbury’s store could be linked to Brexit and there may be “more to come”, a union has warned.
Unite is urging the supermarket giant to say they are “committed to Northern Ireland for the longterm” after it announced the imminent closure of its site in Craigavon, Co Armagh, yesterday.
The retailer has confirmed both the store and filling station at Rushmere Shopping Centre will close in early 2022.
A spokesperson for the supermarket chain said: “We have updated colleagues on the difficult decision to close our Craigavon store early next year.
“We understand this will be an unsettling time for those affected and we are doing everything we can to find alternative roles within Sainsbury’s.
But Unite’s regional officer Taryn Trainor has called on the company to ensure the workers affected are redeployed. She said: “This morning’s announcement will be hugely concerning news for the 109 workers at the Craigavon supermarket who now face the prospect of losing their livelihoods in the mouth of Christmas.”
Ms Trainor also called on Sainsbury’s to confirm its commitment to the post-brexit Northern Ireland retail market.
She added: “There are fears that this closure could be a weathervane for more to come. Sainsbury’s has been extremely vocal in recent months highlighting the impact of Brexit on reduced choice of products on shelves here.
“They have also had to use competitors to supply stores in Northern Ireland.
“These factors would obviously impact profits.
“We need to have a commitment from Sainsbury’s that they are committed to Northern Ireland for the long-term.
“Unite will be engaging with our members in this store to determine our next steps in response to this devastating announcement.”