Superquinn will be anchor in new centre

Superquinn's 19th supermarket in the State is due to open in Limerick in October

Superquinn's 19th supermarket in the State is due to open in Limerick in October. The £16 million, 31,000 square foot shop, the anchor tenant in the Castletroy Shopping Centre, will employ more than 250 people and is being described as its most technologically advanced supermarket. A further 22 shops and a 700-space car park are planned for the centre which is being developed by Paddy Hoare for an area estimated to have a population of 32,000 by 2003. Pat Chesser, the letting agent, said rents are about £40 a square foot. Terms had been agreed with the majority of retailers who wanted exclusivity including McDonald's. "We are currently talking to the fashion retailers," he said. The anchor supermarket, the first venture by Senator Feargal Quinn in Limerick, will be similar to one in Waterford in scale and will have the usual features including a juice bar, a grill kitchen and a seafood department designed as a traditional fishmongers. The group's first venture west of the Shannon, in Galway, is also planned. "We certainly would like to be in Galway and Cork as well," Mr Eamonn Quinn, marketing director, said. "Galway will probably be the 20th shop." A 'Cook's Pantry' is a new concept for the store. "We are putting all of the sauces and pastas and meats right in to middle of our pre-packed meats. You will get your meal at that point without having to walk through the shop." Among the technology innovations will be customer self-scan and pack systems, designed to cut shopping times significantly. Touch screen technology will provide information on nutrition and recipes will also be installed. Customers will also be able to keep up with news and weather from 'i-channel' screens at the checkouts. The manager will be Mr Niall Broughan who managed Superquinn's shop in Blackrock, Co. Dublin, for two years. "