Asda is set to open the doors to a newly branded store and petrol filling station this week in Ballymena.
The news comes just 13 months after the company, one of the the UK's largest retailers, announced it had acquired 132 sites from The Co-operative Group (Co-op) in a transaction worth £600 million.
Asda said it made the move as part of its "growth strategy to move into the convenience market and bring Asda value to more local communities".
The Co-op store and filling station located at Broughshane Street in Ballymena was included as part of the retailer's aquisition.
Asda said at the time that colleagues currently employed in the Co-op stores would transfer to Asda’s employment under TUPE transfer.
Confirming the Ballymena rebrand, a spokesperson at the local Co-op store on Broughshane Street, commented on Sunday afternoon (29th October):
"Your local Co-op will close tomorrow evening, Monday 30th October at 6pm, and will reopen on Wednesday 1st November as an Asda Store.
"A big thank you to all our loyal Co-op customers who have supported us over the years.
"Many thanks, Co-op Broughshane Street".