Halfords confirms plans for city store
Thursday, 25 September 2008
HALFORDS Group plc has confirmed that it is to open a new store in Armagh.
But the leading auto, leisure and cycling products retailer cannot confirm at this time the exact location of the store or the number of jobs which will be created.
A company spokesperson told the Gazette yesterday (Tuesday): "It is our policy to explore every new site opportunity as a matter of course, including enquiring about planning permission. I can confirm we do currently have plans to open a new store in Armagh".
Halfords Group plc boasts 450 stores across the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and the Czech Republic.
The company moved into the Northern Ireland market place 10 years ago and has opened 10 stores in that time. Outlets include Belfast, Coleraine, Lisburn, Bangor and Ballymena, with the closest to the city to date at the Marlborough Retail Park in Craigavon.
Expansion plans in Northern Ireland will see the company "opening many more stores in the coming months".
An advertisement has been placed in this week's Gazette in a bid to recruit a number of key posts - such as sales advisor - both full and part-time.
It is understood that the Spires Retail Park at Moy Road, Armagh, is a possible location, and it would follow on from the most recent tenants, Marks & Spencer's 'Simply Food' store and Heatons/Sports Direct.
The Halfords spokesperson said a comprehensive communications plan would be implemented and more information regarding store specifics and job creation would be available closer to the time.
Halfords Group plc boasts 10,500 employees across its stores. It was established in 1892 and was successfully floated on the London Stock Exchange in June 2004.
The Group sells 11,000 different product lines, ranging from car parts and cycles through to the latest in-car technology, alloy wheels, child seats, roof boxes and the latest outdoor leisure and camping equipment.
