Cork city supermarket closes at short notice but plans to reopen on Saturday

A busy northside supermarket has said it will remain closed for “essential maintenance works” until lunchtime on Saturday.

Supervalu Holyhill did not open on Thursday morning, and a sign on its door initially said it would open at 11am. This was changed, first to 1pm, and then customers were told the shop would remain closed until Saturday.

A spokesperson for Supervalu Holyhill told The Echo that the shop was “currently closed to allow essential maintenance works to take place".

“This is a short-term, temporary measure, and we anticipate we will be in a position to reopen 1pm on Saturday. We apologise to our customers for any inconvenience this may cause, and thank them for their understanding.” 

The shop has been in receivership for a number of weeks.

Thomas Gould, Sinn Féin TD for Cork North Central, said he had been told by the receivers that the works were essential and there was no risk to the business or its staff.

“This is a hugely important business in the heart of Knocknaheeny and Hollyhill, and its staff are brilliant people,” he said.

Tony Fitzgerald, Fianna Fáil city councillor, said there had been considerable concern among local people when the shop had not opened on Thursday.

“The shop is the heart and soul of the local community and we’d be lost without service it provides, and especially the staff in there,” he said.