Mixed news on the Jobs front for Dungarvan

Dungarvan has received some mixed news on the jobs front.

27 jobs were lost at the weekend with the closure of Morrissey’s Supervalu on O’Connell Street.

Speculation was rife around the West Waterford that the store was to close with some weeks, but staff were officially only told of the decision last week at a meeting.

The store has operated in the town for over 40 years and has always proved to be a popular spot for shoppers.

Morrissey’s took over the store in 2007 from Herlihy’s who took it over from the Nugent Family some years previous.

The store according to a statement issued by the Musgrave Group, the Parent Company which operates Supervalu reported that the Store has experienced difficult trading conditions over the past year and is unable to remain in business.

Another business on O’Connell Street in the town is also set to close.

Dungarvan Home Furnishings has operated in the town since 2002 when it opened on Davitt’s Quay before moving to the Shandon Business Park four years later but moved back into the town in more recent times.

Proprietor Geoff Dipple has explained how a number of factors have contributed to the business closing, including the recession and the rise of rates by 400% from €1,300 to €5,500.

Meanwhile it is not all bad news for Dungarvan as some new jobs are on the way to the town.

The finishing touches are been put to a new Aldi Supermarket in the town.

The German Store recently advertised that a number of positions in the local media.

Aldi are expected to open a number of new stores throughout Ireland this year creating on average of 15 to 20 jobs per store.

The new store which is located just off the John Tracy Road between the Dungarvan Shopping Centre and what is known locally as the McDonald’s Roundabout is expected to open by early April.

In other potentially good news on the jobs front in the Dungarvan area, Waterford County Council have granted planning permission for the construction of a chocolate manufacturing facility in the Barranastook area of Old Parish.

And Dungarvan Town Council has granted planning permission to the HSE for the demolition of a single storey Mortuary on the grounds of Dungarvan Community Hospital and for a two and three storey Primary Care Centre to be constructed on the site.

Town Clerk Joe Flaherty told Sinn Fein Councillor Brendan Mansfield recently when asked that the facility on the grounds of Dungarvan Community Hospital puts an end to the proposal to locate a Primary Care Centre in Shandon which is purposed with some time.