Themes

Northern Ireland

Ballymena was the first store in Northern Ireland, opening on 3 December 1996.

The store was built on the site of the former gas works and created 300 new jobs for the area.

Making the most of the December opening date, local children sang Christmas carols and helped David Sainsbury pull a giant Christmas cracker.

The store contained around 900 locally sourced product lines, such as Food Flair shortbread and included fishmonger, butcher, bakery and delicatessen counters, as well as a restaurant and petrol station. Ballymena was also the only Sainsbury’s store to contain a branch of a bank, First Trust.


Outside the Ballymena store


    The Museum of London Group is funded by the City of London and the Greater London Authority. Museum of London, London Wall, LONDON EC2Y 5HN, United Kingdom. Copyright Museum of London. Legal notices & Disclaimer. This site is maintained by the Museum Systems Team.