Asda opening ‘step up for the town’ after floods

Asda opening ‘step up for the town’ after floods

31 January 2024

SHOPPERS have been coming to Asda’s temporary supermarket in Downpatrick in their droves.

The new store is much reduced to the one which suffered catastrophic damage in the November floods.

There was a wave of optimism as staff welcomed customers, old and new. 

“For months we’ve had to travel to Newtownards to do our shopping,” said Downpatrick woman, Denise McCoubrey.

“It was all a bit hectic, and when you factor in driving there and back, it cost a whole lot more.

“We also relied on online shopping and delivery but with that you never got the freshest food.”

Denise continued: “I’ve five youngsters, so to be able to just go to a local shop when you have a spare hour is so much more convenient.”

Michelle Mallon, also from Downpatrick, said: “The staff have all done an amazing job.

“It’s a step up for the town after what happened a couple of months ago.

“They were able to squeeze a lot into it and they’re doing really good with what they have – it has everything you need or want.”

Other shoppers were ecstatic to browse at their convenience, with many in awe with what the store was able to provide.

Marzena Pachrukhi and her 13 year-old Alex, who live in Killyleagh, were able to source food and products from their home country Poland.

“Downpatrick is the only store we have been able to find Polish products,” Marzena said.

“We had to travel to Belfast to do our shopping, but none of the Belfast stores had any Polish products – it was very disheartening.

“Here has a much better food selection and the staff have been so helpful in helping us find anything we need.”

Many customers spoke about the effect the absence Asda had on their lives, particularly in the lead up to Christmas.

Killough woman Rita Heathwood described the frustration of having to go to other towns across the district and further afield for her Christmas shopping.

“I was a bit fed up having to travel,” she said.

“We had to travel to Newtownards, Newcastle and sometimes Belfast to do our shopping – it was very tiring.

“It made doing the Christmas shopping very hard and bothersome – the other shops in the area had ridiculous prices.”

Rita continued: “My needs to eat gluten-free food, which was always difficult to in other stores.

“The staff should be really proud of themselves, they’ve exceeded my expectations and they’re a credit to the community.”

For the staff, it was a long anticipated wait to come back to work in Downpatrick.

When the closure of the former site was announced due to safety issues, staff members were redeployed to several stores throughout Northern Ireland.

“As soon as we were redeployed there was an eagerness to get back to Downpatrick,” said senior staff member Patrick McCullough.

“I and a few others were sent to Dundonald, which was grand. The supervisor there was very accommodating, but we were always asking when are we going back.

“The management reassured us that plans were in place and here we are. “We have just been able to pick up where we left off. 

“I’ve been working here for 20 years and love it – it’s great to have our Asda back.”

Another staff member, Dolores McNally, from Killough, said: “It’s amazing to see all the familiar faces.

“I’ve worked at Asda for 15 years, and at one stage my mummy sons and nephew worked here so there is a lot of local community links for several people in this store.

“It was hard not seeing the regular faces, both colleagues and customers, so seeing everyone again is just incredible – there were worries from some of us that this day would never come.”

Store manager Ciara Smyth said: “We are delighted to be back.

“Everyone has put so much hard work into bringing Asda back to Downpatrick.

“It’s our pleasure to welcome back all the customers throughout the area.”

When asked if there was ever a time when reopening a store in Downpatrick looked unfeasible, Ciara eagerly responded: “Not at all.

“We are always one to like a challenge, and we owed it to our staff and colleagues to fight to keep Asda here in the town.

“Everyone I’ve spoken to has said nothing but positive things about the store and I know we have the colleagues to make it a success just like it once was.”