With just days to go until its new 45,000 sq ft store opens at Enniskillen's Derrychara Road, ASDA has confirmed that long-serving store colleague, Billy Howe, has been nominated to perform the official opening duties next Monday 20 August.
Having worked at the supermarket since its Wellworths days, 64-year old Billy is currently celebrating his 47th year in service. Well-known across Enniskillen and beyond, Billy received hundreds of votes to undertake the prestigious role.
Store manager Martin Kelly said: "We are delighted to name Billy as ASDA Enniskillen's local hero. Billy is admired by customers and colleagues alike for his helpful and hardworking nature, as well as his dedication to providing excellent customer service at all times.
"He is a great ambassador for ASDA and, having worked in the supermarket since 1961, it is very fitting that he plays a central role in the opening of our new store next week."
The new Enniskillen store is set to open on schedule at 10am on Monday morning, and Mr Kelly was as enthused as any member of staff.
"We are really looking forward to welcoming shoppers into our new, larger store. The anticipation is really mounting now among shoppers, particularly with regard to the full George clothing and home-wares ranges the new store will offer."
"With our close proximity to the border, and Enniskillen's popularity as a key tourist destination", he explained. "15% of purchases are currently made with Euro. With improved ranges of top-selling 'Euro items', such as electrical goods, DVDs and CDs, as well as beers, wines and spirits, we are expecting Euro spend at ASDA Enniskillen to increase even further."
The new re-sited ASDA store is creating 140 new jobs for the area, taking the total workforce to 320, and providing a significant boost for the local economy.
As well as broader ranges of food and non-food items, it will also have a customer café, a wet fish counter and a photoshop. The Enniskillen store will also be one of the first in Northern Ireland to incorporate ASDA's new self-scanning tills.
