by Gráinne Connolly
Expansion plans at O'Neill's Sportswear in Strabane will bring 172 new jobs to the local area, and is expected to generate an additional £26.7 million in sales over three years.
It was announced at a Derry City and Strabane Council, Special Planning Commitee meeting yesterday evening (Tuesday 13th February).
Work will be carried out at the current site, including the development of Class B4 storage and distribution facility with the associated factory shop, as well as car parking and ancillary works.
According to the meeting's report, the applicant has stated the importance of this project, not only for the O'Neill brand but for the town of Strabane and its hinderland.
"In total O'Neill's contributes £10.2 million to the local economy in wages and this proposal will assist in achieving its growth objectives of growing E-commerce turnover to £10.9m by 2019.
"It is envisaged that this proposal will promote an additional 172 jobs within a 3 year period and is expected to generate an additional £26.7 million in sales within that period.
"It will also help safeguard current jobs within the existing Strabane facility."
The news of this development has been widely welcomed by the people of Strabane and it's local representatives, including MLA Michaela Boyle.
She says not only will it bring economic benefits, it will also "take the reputation of Strabane being an unemployment black spot off the scale":
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