The $18million development at the town centre’s northern entrance will employ 80 staff, and compete for trade from the district’s 18,000 residents with an established New World supermarket. Countdown director of property Matt Grainger said the 2530sq m store had been built with "sustainability" in mind, and formed part of a $50million programme of investment in Otago and Southland during the next 12 months. Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan attended the opening, saying it was a "morning to celebrate". "As we saw the store taking shape under the cloud of Covid, you could tell that Clutha would not only prevail, but flourish."
Mr Cadogan wished employees, recruited in partnership with the council’s Jobbortunities programme, "pride and prosperity". Countdown Balclutha will be open 8am-9pm, seven days a week.
