Omagh jobs blow as Greggs store closes

THE Omagh branch of a UK-wide bakery chain famed for its vegan sausage rolls has been closed permanently, less than 18 months after it first opened to shoppers in the town.

Based in the Showgrounds Retail Park, a total of 14 new jobs were created when Greggs began serving customers locally in February 2019.

At the time, Patricia McKee, Greggs Area Manager for Northern Ireland, said, “We’re delighted to bring the Greggs experience to Omagh. This is a busy town and we know the shop will prove a big hit, offering more choice and convenience to local customers.”

The shop had initially closed on a temporary basis in March as the UK went into lockdown to slow the spread of Covid-19.

Greggs began reopening its stores on a phased basis from June 18, with more opening from today (Thursday).

But, in a further blow to the local economy, a spokesperson from the company told the UH, “We can confirm that sadly our Omagh shop will not be reopening.”

The closure of Greggs comes around a month after well-known motor retailers the Donnelly Group confirmed that they would not be reopening their Omagh car showroom, with the loss of 17 jobs.