Cork GAA all-star cuts ribbon as city centre store reopens

A city centre retailer has marked the reopening of its store with a ribbon-cutting by one of Cork’s most decorated sports stars, and a €1,000 donation to a leading city charity.

After a 10-week refurbishment, Lidl Ireland’s Cornmarket Street store has been officially reopened by GAA all-star and former Cork Gaelic football and camogie champion Rena Buckley.

Early bird customers first in line to visit the improved store were rewarded with complimentary Lidl vouchers to spend in-store, while Caitríona Twomey, volunteer co-ordinator with Cork Penny Dinners, was in attendance to receive on behalf of the charity a donation of €1,000 in Lidl vouchers.

Lidl regional managing director for Munster, Tara O’Connor, said that after more than a decade since the Cornmarket Street branch opened, it was great to welcome customers to a modernised store.

“As Lidl celebrates 25 years in Ireland this year, it’s fitting that we’re continuing to invest in our Cork store network and upgrade older stores that have served local communities so well,” said Ms O’Connor.

“We’re delighted with the new-look store and hope to welcome many more shoppers across our doors in the coming days and weeks.”

Cork sporting legend Ms Buckley said she had been delighted to cut the ribbon on the refurbished store.

“It’s amazing to see how the space has been remodelled to incorporate new features and provide a better lay-out for shoppers in what is a busy city centre location,” she said.

“There was a super turn-out this morning and I’m sure shoppers will agree the change that the store has undergone in just a couple of months has been fantastic.”

Lidl Ireland currently employs more than 670 employees in its 22 stores across Co Cork, and last year it procured over €128m worth of goods and services from more than 120 suppliers and business partners across the county.

Among its Cork suppliers is Mallow-based Castlecor Potatoes, which has been supplying Lidl with potatoes and onions for 20 years, and Skibbereen-based West Cork Distillers, which supplies Lidl’s own brand gin and whiskey products, which are exported to 23 countries through Lidl’s international store network.