Christmas comes early as Sainsbury’s gets ready to open its doors in Omagh

Christmas is coming early for shoppers in Omagh and the surrounding area, with the town’s brand-new £12 million Sainsbury’s supermarket opening its doors tomorrow (Thursday, November 12) at 9am.

For the first time, the retail giant is arriving in Omagh, bringing around 130 jobs, a huge choice of groceries and fresh food, and one of the company’s most modern and advanced supermarket stores to Great Northern Retail Park, just off the A5 on Tamlaght Road.

The Tyrone Constitution enjoyed a store walkaround this (Wednesday) evening, previewing the eagerly anticipated new store as staff worked against the clock to get everything sparkling and ready for the first customers.

Staff were putting the finishing touches to the exterior, shelves were being stocked, festive displays were taking shape, and the new team was making sure every detail was in place ahead of tomorrow morning’s grand opening.

The bright, spacious supermarket has been created following a major refurbishment of the former Homebase premises, which has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent months.

Christian Wakelin, head of Supermarket Property Development with Sainsbury’s, described the new Omagh store as the company's most modern and advanced.

He said the opening came at an exciting time for the retail sector as businesses competed to offer customers the best value and widest choice.

“We are so excited to be here in Omagh. Hopefully, when online delivery becomes operational in a few weeks, there may be more driving and other jobs as we grow the service provided to customers,” he said.

Store manager Em Murray said she looked forward to the morning rush.

But Sainsbury’s arrival is about more than shopping and employment, with the company keen to establish itself as an active part of the local community.

It has already sponsored a breakfast club at local schools, supported Omagh Parkrun and Junior Parkrun, and arranged training for staff with Women’s Aid.

Ms Murray said building strong community connections was a priority as the supermarket prepared to open its doors.

She added that she wanted the new store to become Omagh’s supermarket of choice.

Over the past two weeks local politicians, staff families and community associations were among those allowed to explore the new premises ahead of the opening.

With the shelves stocked, the festive displays in place and the finishing touches complete, the countdown is now on.

The new Sainsbury’s Omagh store opens at 9am tomorrow (Thursday), with opening hours of 9am to 9pm from Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm on Saturdays and 1pm to 6pm on Sundays.

Shoppers can look forward to a full range of everyday groceries, fresh food and seasonal favourites, with the Nectar app also offering customers the opportunity to make even more of their first shop.

After months of preparation and anticipation, Omagh’s newest supermarket is ready to welcome its first customers – and with Christmas just around the corner, there could hardly be a more festive time for a new arrival on the town’s shopping scene.