Aldi jobs boost for Swords

THE Northside has been given an added job boost with the announcement that Aldi is to increase its presence in Co Dublin with the opening of its latest store in Swords.

A total of 25 new jobs have been created at the new store.  

The new Swords store is Aldi’s 19th in Dublin and brings the total number of their stores in Ireland to 128. 

The first Aldi store in Ireland opened in November 1999. Speaking at the store opening, Patrik Polak, manager of Aldi’s new Swords store, said: “Buying fresh, quality Irish foods in Swords just got easier thanks to the opening of our new Aldi store.

“Each Aldi store we have opened so far has been a fantastic success and we are really looking forward to serving the local community.

“Aldi has established solid roots in many of Ireland’s local communities having developed longstanding partnerships with numerous Irish producers.”

Suppliers from Co Dublin include Martin Flynn of Martin Flynn Nurseries, which supplies Aldi with a range of Irish locally grown tomatoes, Robert Roberts, which supplies Aldi’s multi-award winning McGrath’s Irish tea range and Traditional Cheese Company, which supplies artisan cheeses to Aldi.

In the last five years Aldi has recruited over 70 new Irish suppliers, meaning Aldi now partners with more than 175 Irish producers.

Over 50 per cent of Aldi’s supplier spend is now with Irish suppliers, producers and manufacturers. 

All of Aldi’s fresh meats, fresh poultry, eggs, bread, flour, and many of its teas, coffees, soft drinks, waters and snacks are provided by leading Irish suppliers. 

Aldi’s Irish products have a strong track record of dominating national and international food awards.

Their products have won hundreds of awards at the Great Taste, Blas na hÉireann and the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards in recent years.

Meanwhile, a further 150 new jobs are on their way across Dublin after Cosmo Restaurants declared they are opening a 280-seater restaurant in early December.

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald was on hand to announce the creation of 60 new jobs in Liffey Valley.

In addition to this, plans are also underway to open two further restaurants in the Dublin area within the next 18 months, bringing the total number of jobs to over 150. 

Cosmo also, where possible, sources all its produce and supplies from local distributors.

Minister Fitzgerald stated: “I am delighted to welcome these jobs to the Dublin area, and I am pleased that Cosma decided to locate their first restaurant outside of the UK and Northern Ireland here in Liffey Valley.

“I wish the management and staff the best of success, in particular in the build up to Christmas, which is always a popular time to enjoy a meal out with friends and family.”

Bock Liang, Regional Director, said they had been inundated with enquiries by Dublin fans visiting their Belfast restaurant asking when they were bringing the restaurant concept to Dublin.

“We spent about six years looking for a suitable location and are delighted that finally we will be opening the doors in a few weeks’ time,” he said.

“It’s a very exciting time of expansion for the Cosmo Restaurant group, with more new openings. We are also planning more Dublin locations in the city centre and South Dublin.”