TWENTY five jobs have been created with the opening of a new Centra store in the heart of Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter, part of a £500,000 investment by a local businessman in partnership with Musgrave NI.
Donagh McGoveran’s Centra Cathedral Quarter on Donegall Street is redefining the convenience market in the city with a reinvigorated coffee offer, a full new range of fresh and healthy foods and a sit down area, making it easier for consumers to eat and live well.
Mr McGoveran, who also owns Centra Stranmillis and Malone, employing over 75 people in total, said: “The retail market has changed rapidly over the past few years and we’ve reinvigorated our offer to match consumers changing needs, offering a huge amount of choice.
Economy Minister Simon Hamilton, who officially opened the store, said: “I'm delighted to see the new innovative approach to convenience taken by the Donegall Street Centra store.
“The creation of 25 new jobs with the expansion of the Centra brand is a welcome addition to the Cathedral Quarter area and I wish all the staff every success with the new venture.”
Musgrave NI conducted extensive research into the changing needs of the consumer, which led to the development of market leading ranges including super bowl salads, Mex a Go Burrito bar, a carvery sandwich range, a ribs & wings bar and hot boxes.
With the explosion of the café culture in Belfast, Centra has created its own brand cutting-edge Barista style Frank and Honest Coffee, with a seated area in-store for customers to enjoy, alongside a new premium patisserie range.
Musgrave NI managing director Michael McCormack said: “The Centra Cathedral Quarter store is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland, and I believe will redefine the consumers' view of convenience.
“We chose to invest in the Cathedral Quarter as it is a prime business location. The new Belfast Campus will also bring 15,000 students and the staff of the University of Ulster to our doorstep.
“Our ambition is to create a destination for great coffee with a fresh and healthy food offer plus a sit down area to appeal to students, professional and health-conscious shoppers. We will soon be rolling out this new concept across all 78 of our stores in Northern Ireland,” he said.
Centra stores throughout the north are owned and managed by independent retailers who are committed to supporting towns and villages in which they live and operate, selling in excess of £96 million worth of local products each year.
