Tesco comes to Newry

Tesco have been revealed as the company behind a planing application to build a new supermarket on Newry's Belfast road.

 The revelation comes after months of speculation regarding the identity of a British company behind a contractor-led planning proposal relating to property at the Riverside Industrial Estate. It is not known whether the new outlet, which is currently awaiting planning approval, will be a full scale supermarket or a smaller Tesco Express or Metro store.

Multi-national chains Morrisons, Tesco and Asda have all been mooted as possible occupants of what is believed to be a multi-million pound store.

But a source close to the development has confirmed Tesco will be the first of the three to open their flagship store in the area, and hopes of beginning trading within a year.

Asda who are expected to open in the city within 18 months in an attempt to replicate the success of British supermarket chain, Sainsbury's.

The store, which opened 10 years ago in the Quay's Shopping Centre is now one of the chain's most successful branches, attracting shoppers from across Ireland.

A spokesperson for Tesco said he could neither confirm nor deny the company's connection to the site.

While he said he was aware of the contractor led planning application, he wouldn't comment on Tesco's involvement.

"Tesco is looking at several locations across Northern Ireland," he said. "Obviously Newry's location close to the border means it will be part of Tesco's strategic plans, but we will not pin our hats to any one town just yet."