MARKS and Spencer has completed an upgrade of its foodhall at Sprucefield, adding 30 jobs.
The retailer said the store is just the second in the north to receive the new face-lift.
New additions include a bigger grocery and frozen section, along with a sushi counter, rotisserie chicken station, and new in-store bakery.
Store manager JP McShane said: “For the last few months we have been busy making our foodhall bigger, better and fresher and I’m extremely proud to finally unveil the finished result to our customers.
“With a wider choice, from everyday staples to treats for special occasions, customers are in for a warm welcome and a big surprise with all the changes we’ve made.”
Just days after M&S said it intends to source more Irish produce in response to an extra £30 million Brexit cost to supplying its island of Ireland operation, Mr McShane said: “Sourcing locally is really important to us so we’re delighted to be launching some fantastic new products being produced by our local supply base here including five new vegan lines to the M&S Plant Kitchen range from Finnebrogue Artisan and a new burger slaw from Avondale Foods.”
He said M&S now have 11 direct suppliers in the north, with around 1,600 farms producing produce for the retailer.
Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Cllr Nicholas Trimble said: “I’m delighted to see this significant investment and creation of new jobs which will make a substantial contribution to Lisburn City and attract more people to the area.
“M&S is an important and major contributor to our local economy, and more importantly, this renewal programme has created 30 new jobs for the community.”
