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Landmark Buncrana building opens 17.09.08
BUNCRANA has a new
landmark building with the opening yesterday of
Tierney’s Healthwise Pharmacy at Lower Main Street.
The 4,000sq ft premises has been under construction
for the last 18 months with the Healthwise Pharmacy
occupying temporary premises in the old Clubman
factory building. It is the latest addition to
Ardaravan Square/Lower Main Street and further
enhances that part of town.
“I needed a bigger shop floor,” proprietor Liam
Grimley said. “And while I was reluctant to knock
down the old building I had no other option and
tried to keep the spirit of it.” |
The new building, which
also features eight upstairs apartments, remains
sympathetic to the building with its redbrick façade
and arched windows but boasts a modern interior
where major brands like Lancôme, Clarion and Chanel
will be stocked. “We’re bringing high street brands
to Buncrana and we’re delighted with how the
interior of our new flagship store looks,” Grimley
said.
The store will employ nine staff, and Grimley
admitted that the |
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downturn in the
construction sector and difficulties with the HSE
over drug distribution contracts made him question
the wisdom of the redevelopment. “I probably
wouldn’t have started the redevelopment given the
difficulty over the pharmacy contracts, and the
decline in the building industry was another blow,”
he said. “But I had no option other than to continue
on.”
The conflict between the HSE and pharmacists is
still ongoing, and in common with other pharmacies
across the State, a recruitment freeze remains in
place. However, some of the apartments have already
been sold and interest has been expressed in the
others.
“The neighbours have been brilliant all throughout
the build,” Grimley concluded. “We’re looking
forward to seeing them and all our customers old and
new over the coming weeks.”
(Inishowen Independent) |
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