160 NEW JOBS FOR MITCHELSTOWN

There will be renewed optimism in Mitchelstown over the Christmas period as multinational retail chain Aldi has announced plans to locate a regional distribution centre in the town, with the creation of 160 jobs. The company, which opened a store in Mitchelstown last October, chose the site on the corner of the relief road and Limerick road having ruled out rival locations in Nenagh and Limerick.

The facility will create approximately 40 office based jobs and a further 120 are expected to be employed in the warehouse and distribution centre. In addition to the employment directly planned for the facility when it opens, it is envisaged that a substantial number of jobs will be provided during the construction phase, given that the development is expected to cost in the region of €100m.

The land for the proposed facility was bought from Dairygold, and a grain silo will be demolished to make way for the development on the 32 acre site.

A spokesman for Aldi said the company, which will build 5 stores in Cork alone next year, is pleased to be planning the new centre in Mitchelstown.

"It is a strong location with a highly skilled workforce and will be important for the development of our business,” he said.

Aldi has operated in Ireland since 1999 and currently has a network of 52 stores with plans for continued expansion in this country. It is headquartered at Naas in Co. Kildare where it has its current distribution centre. The new facility will primarily service Aldi stores in Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford. It is believed that construction on the €100 million centre will commence next summer pending the granting of planning permission, for which an application will be lodged next month.

Speaking to The Avondhu, Fianna Fail County Councillor Kevin O’Keeffe welcomed the announcement, adding that the site is ideally located away from residential areas in the town. Measures such as the provision of footpaths, a stone wall and streetlights will be put in place to enhance the area of the facility and there are plans to liaise with local residents on the project, he added.

“This is fantastic news in light of the recent job losses in Mitchelstown as a result Dairygold’s pull out from the area,” Cllr O’Keeffe noted.

Cllr Liam O’Doherty said that Aldi should be commended for bringing industry to the town, in the absence of Government help. Cllr O’Doherty said the company recognised that Mitchelstown is an attractive location because it can provide a happy, skilled workforce in a well located central base.

He added that Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Michael Martin should not be “let off the hook for failing to bring employment to the area”.

 

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