Tesco store opens on island after Shoprite takeover

The first Tesco Express has opened on the Isle of Man after the retail giant's takeover of Shoprite stores.

The outlet in Arbory St, Castletown, is the first of nine new stores set to be rebranded.

Customers were asked to leave the store for a short time hours after the official opening after "an alarm was accidentally triggered and needed to be reset", the supermarket confirmed.

A Tesco spokesman said the shop was now "trading as normal".

Shoprite announced it had sold its stores to the supermarket chain after 50 years of trading in October.

Tesco then confirmed it would convert five superstores and four express outlets across the island, including in Port Erin, Ramsey and Peel.

This would be in addition to the already existing store on the island, which opened in Douglas in 2000.

Store Director Andy Sanderson said: "Over the course of the store openings there’ll be around 120 new jobs created – all from the local community".

He said the team was "excited" and "looking forward to serving the local community" at the new Tesco Express, which opened at 08:00 GMT.

The supermarket giant had worked with local suppliers and the Manx government "to ensure we can provide the best service to our customers", he added.

The opening has also been marked by a £1,000 donation from Tesco to mental health charity Isle Listen, which has its headquarters in the town.

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