Irish Dairy Board members have given the go ahead to change the co-operative's corporate identity to Ornua. The new name is expected to be unveiled on March 31, the day before the EU milk quotas are removed, and will relate to both the group's corporate identity and its consumer products portfolio, which includes Kerrygold.
The Liffey Valley Shopping Centre is to be expanded, which will create around 450 new and part-time jobs. The €26 million extension will increase floor space at the centre by 16%, and will incorporate a new Penneys outlet as well as an expanded cinema.
ISME has welcomed changes to the Credit Guarantee scheme, saying that the reformatted scheme will assist small businesses with gaining access to credit facilities. Mark Fielding, ISME CEO, commented, “The take-up of the Credit Guarantee Scheme to date has been abysmal so these changes are very welcome. We are aware of businesses who have been struggling to refinance loans from the exiting banks and had informed government of this."
Aldi has completed the purchase of a former swimming pool at Watergate Street, Trim, with a view to developing a supermarket on the site, according to the Meath Chronicle. Trim councillors formally approved the sale of the 1.9 acre site for €585,000 to Aldi last September. Local Councillor Caroline Lynch told the paper that the development will “provide a much-needed economic boost to the area and its people.”
Valeo Foods has completed the purchase of the Rpbert Roberts and Kelkin brands from DCC plc, following competition authority approval. A statement issued on the DCC website yesterday said that the group has received clearance from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, and that 'DCC has now completed the disposal of substantially all of its food and beverage subsidiaries'.
Gluten-free snacks producer Veronica's Snacks has secured an equity investment of €465,000 from Enterprise Ireland, AIB Seed Capital and local investment syndicate Boole. The Cork-based firm will use the funding to seek to enter new markets and invest in new product development.
Bacon and cabbage has topped a Bord Bia poll to find the meal most synonymous with Ireland. Bord Bia found that half of Ireland’s adult population plan to eat a traditional Irish meal on or around St. Patrick’s Day, with 54% planning to tuck into some bacon and cabbage. 64% consider bacon and cabbage the meal most synonymous with Ireland, while three in 10 crave bacon and cabbage when travelling abroad. The research coincides with the launch of the Bord Bia ‘Ham and Bacon’ campaign, which runs from Monday 23rd February to Sunday, 22nd March and encourages consumers to choose Bord Bia Quality Assured ham and bacon.
Spar has launched details of its Spar Great Ireland Run 2015, scheduled to take place on the 11th of April in Phoenix Park, Dublin. The race was launched by celebrities Tony Audenshaw of Emmerdale, Jenny Dixon of Fair City and Irish model Roz Purcell. “Spar has a proud tradition of supporting athletics and we’re delighted to keep flying the flag for Irish athletes in 2015,” said Willie O'Byrne, managing director of BWG Foods.
Gormley’s Centra in Letterkenny has gone into receivership, the Donegal Daily has reported. Local Sinn Fein county councillor Gerry McMonagle told the paper that he was hopeful some resolution could be found to save the jobs at the store, “There is still stock on the shelves and the staff still want to work. This store and its owners have been very god employers over the years and I hope people will continue to support it."
