“A great week for Kinnegad” is how local councillor Denis Leonard described the opening of the new primary care unit and the creation of 80 jobs in the brand new Tesco store, within days of each other, in Kinnegad this week.
Cllr Leonard said the developments would serve to showcase Kinnegad as a “central marketable location”, and said he hoped the rising tide would lift all businesses in Kinnegad.
The opening of the new Tesco store on the Athlone road in Kinnegad this Monday September 27 will create 80 jobs, a boost that local figures say is a welcome investment in the town.
“It is a vote of confidence for the retail expansion of the town, and helps create Kinnegad as a shopping town. It identifies Kinnegad as a central marketable location; it is the third largest town in Westmeath and, at the meeting of two major motorways, it is one of the most ideal locations in the country,” said Cllr Leonard.
Chairperson of the Kinnegad Traders Association, John Gildea, said the local business community are very positive about the new development.
“These are challenging times and it is a very big vote of confidence in Kinnegad, for such a big firm to see the potential in the town. A lot of individual business owners have invested heavily in their businesses, and this will keep more people shopping locally,” said Mr Gildea.
The new 2,000 square foot Tesco store, which will be officially opened on Monday morning at 11am, will feature a wide range of grocery and fresh food products, as well as an extensive lifestyle department. There will be a free car park for up to 271 vehicles including disabled and parent and child parking.
Speaking prior to the opening, store manager Sally Western said, “We are delighted to be opening our brand new store in Kinnegad which will offer our customers a wide choice of products at low Tesco prices and an all round great shopping experience.”
Meanwhile the launch of the Kinnegad Primary Care Team at the new facility in the town was met with warm welcome this week.
The primary care team consists of GP services, community nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, home help, and extended services such as dietetics, counselling, speech and language therapy, and other health services.
Its aim is to make health services easily accessible for clients, with a broader range of services being made available locally.
Mr Gildea, who runs Gildea’s Pharmacy and was behind the initiative, said the launch of the team was a big day for all concerned.
“This was the first launch by the new CEO of the HSE. We are proud of it, and of the local involvement of builders, architects, and engineers. Hopefully it will be a tremendous asset to the community,” he said.
