Centra Closure Costs Portadown Jobs

The burden of overheads and running costs - despite the fact that it served 7,500 customers a week - has led to the demise of a Portadown food shop - Centra of West Street.

It has closed with the loss of 18 jobs with the proprietor James Taylor citing high costs as the main reason for the closure after a determined struggle to keep the doors open.

The Portadown Times has reported that Mr Taylor had held meetings with the various agencies in a bid to lessen the overheads and buy time, and last-ditch attempts to save the business have been made.

"We simply couldn't sustain it any longer," said Mr Taylor. "I'm really gutted, but the decision had to be made.

"I have a superb, dedicated staff and the people of Portadown have been fantastic. There's been a great atmosphere about the shop, but despite the fact that we have been so busy, there wasn't enough coming in to keep us viable."

Centra opened two years ago in the former Jeffers' premises, and as well as the merchandise sold by the former owners - like newspapers, stationery and magazines - they increased footfall by adding the popular deli-bar, coffee machine and groceries.

"We kept the atmosphere of the friendly local store," he concluded, noting that it wasn't enough in the end to keep the doors open.

(BMcC/GK)