Pictured with Gabriel Bell (right) is SuperValu Sales Director of MRPNI Nigel Maxwell. PIC: Brian Thompson/PRESS EYE

MUSGRAVE Retail Partners (MRPNI) has announced a multi-million pound investment with the construction of a new SuperValu store in Crossgar, Co. Down.

As a result, 40 new jobs will be created as part of the £1.7m new build at the Belfast Road site.

MRPNI has teamed up with local businessman Gabriel Bell to develop and commence the building of a 6,000 sq ft store and filling station.

The store will be operated by Gabriel and will be adjacent to his brother’s well-known successful business ‘Bell’s Motors’.

The Bell family has been trading on the site in Crossgar since 1935 when Gabriel’s grandfather ran a cattle and poultry exporting business.

The new store is due to open in September and will offer a range of services to include a butchery, deli, hot food bar and parking for over 70 vehicles.

Situated on the main arterial road linking Downpatrick to Belfast, SuperValu Crossgar will service several residential housing developments as well as a number of schools and a large rural hinterland.

MRPNI SuperValu Sales Director, Nigel Maxwell, said: “I’m delighted to welcome such an established businessman as Gabriel to MRPNI and the SuperValu retail group.

“This new SuperValu store represents a significant investment for MRPNI in Crossgar with the creation of large number of jobs for local people. With the store’s key location on the main road between Downpatrick and Belfast it will provide an important service to passing trade as well as the local community,” Nigel added.

Gabriel Bell commented: “My family has been trading on the Crossgar site since my father first started his cattle and poultry business in the 1930’s up until today with my brother Charlie’s motor business.

“I’m very excited to partner Musgrave on this new venture and with their support and investment open a SuperValu store in September on the family site, where it all began almost 80 years ago.

“I’m committed to bringing quality service, produce, value for money and employment to the community who have been so loyal through the years,” Gabriel added.

MRPNI supports over 250 independent SuperValu, Centra and Mace retail stores in Northern Ireland, with a combined turnover in excess of £600 million.

MRPNI is part of the Musgrave Group, the leading partner to more than 3,500 entrepreneurial retailers and food service professionals in the UK, Ireland and Spain.