Well known Kildare supermarket to be taken over by children's charity

A well known Kildare supermarket is set to be occupied by a children’s charity.

The Centra store in Johnstown is the subject of a request by the Jack and Jill Foundation to use the ground floor shop as office space. The charity already occupies part of the premises.

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A planning application to facilitate this is being assessed by Kildare County Council and a decision is expected by September 1.

The Centra shop in Johnstown closed in early June after almost two decades.

Proprietor Alan Jordan said at the time the store is not fit for purpose because it is not big enough to meet the shopping needs of an area which has seen significant population growth in recent years.

Mr Jordan, who lives locally,  said that he is very disappointed to have to close and is doing so with a heavy heart - but it’s a commercial decision that was unavoidable.

“We have tried to buy three other sites in Johnstown over the last 12 years at various times and we were not successful. When this happened we reinvested €250,000 into the shop," said Mr Jordan.

The Jordan Group  has stores in eight other locations - including Curragh Grange, near Newbridge, Caragh, Rathcoole and 4,000 square foot premises in Tallaght.