Tesco is investing €21 million in re-developing its Ballina store into one of the Ireland's most modern supermarkets that will include an underground facility with spaces for 298 vehicles.
And work on the 40,000sq ft shop will create many spin-off jobs in the town along with a large number of jobs during construction of the state-of-the art premises could start as early as 2014 provided there are no planning hold-ups.
Councillors expressed their delight that the Tesco redevelopment was finally on the road and there was agreement that the landmark 3-acre town centre project would give a huge boost to the commercial life of Ballina.
Significant achievement
Negotiations between the Town Council and Tesco have been ongoing for months and Paul Benson, Senior Executive Officer, gave a slide-show presentation to members of the architect's plans and drawings of the new superstore.
Mr Benson said attracting a multi-national band like Tesco to make a €21 million investment in Ballina was a significant achievement for the authority, particularly in an economic downturn.
Mr Benson said he expected Tesco to lodge a planning application by June or July and when pressed by councillors on when work might start, he said he could not give a definitive timescale, but thought construction could start as early as 2014, provided there were no holdups.
The development will also include a new link road from Market Road to Pearse Street.
Cllr Mary Kelly formally proposed that the Council dispose of the land, acquired by CPO, to Tesco and this was seconded by Cllr Gerry Ginty.
Concern about current Tesco employees in Ballina having to commute to other stores in the region while work, which was expected to take up to two years got underway, were also raised by councillors.
Temporary premises
Mr Benson said Tesco was endeavouring to find a suitable temporary premises in Ballina, but could not give any guarantees that they would be successful.
Councillors were also told that the redevelopment work would also include a public toilet on the new link road to Pearse Street.
The new Tesco store will take in part of the back gardens of housees on Humbert Street, the former Ballina Mineral Water Company and the rear of some premises on lower Pearse Street.
Mr Benson, in reply to questions, said no decision had been made on the future of the famous spring well on the Ballina Mineral Water Company site - and used by generations of Ballina people. It would be dealt with in the Tesco Environmental Impact Statement and the authority would look at it when it had received that submission.
The new store will boost Town Council coffers, too, bringing in an annual rates payment from Tesco of €80,000, compared to the €38,000 currently paid by the store.
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