Ballyfermot supermarket knocked for being ‘one of poorest’
By Maurice Garvey
TESCO Ballyfermot store “must rank as one of the poorest” in the retailer’s chain, according to Independent councillor Vincent Jackson.
Cllr Jackson asked Dublin City Council this week to encourage Tesco Ireland to “reinvest in the replacement of its Ballyfermot supermarket”, which first opened in 1986.
“Whilst investing hundreds of millions in store replacements, this store is like something from a bygone age,” said Cllr Jackson.
The Echo contacted Tesco Ireland in relation to Cllr Jackson’s concerns.
The retailer said they are working on plans to upgrade the store but cannot confirm a timeframe as of yet.
An official statement from Tesco said: “Our Ballyfermot store is one of the older properties in our estate but continues to be at the heart of our operations in the area, employing over 80 local colleagues, offering the best rate of pay in our sector.
“We are also the only food retailer to give all colleagues contracts guaranteeing their minimum weekly hours, with more than 50 per cent of our colleagues working 30 hours or more every week.
“Our Ballyfermot store continues to be on our store refresh programme roadmap. We’re working on these plans but can’t confirm a timeframe as yet. We welcome feedback from customers and colleagues and take it on board to ensure we’re always improving our offering for customers.”
Tesco said they have worked with local store teams to give back to the Ballyfermot community – the Tesco Community Fund donating over €20,000 to groups in the area since 2014, beneficiaries, including Cherry Orchard Karate Club, St Raphael’s Primary School and Neptune Rowing Club.
“Our food surplus donations programme, working with FoodCloud, has provided over 14,500 meals made from surplus food to five local groups in the area and continues to recruit new organisations to receive surplus food donations,” said the company.
Dublin City Council said they have contacted Tesco Ireland in relation to Cllr Jackson’s request.
