Crowds celebrate grand opening of Murdock Home Centre & Builders Merchants at The Junction, Antrim

Antrim residents flocked to The Junction on Wednesday 29th October to celebrate the official opening of Murdock Home Centre & Builders Merchants, a major new addition to the town and a landmark moment for the Murdock Group.

The much-anticipated launch drew large crowds for a day of family fun, live entertainment and community celebration, marking a significant milestone for both Murdock and The Junction retail complex.

Visitors were treated to giveaways, goodie bags and live music with Q Radio and presenter Ibe Sesay, as well as appearances from May McFettridge and characters from The Addams Family. Families enjoyed face painting, complimentary food, and hands-on supplier demonstrations, while over 30 leading suppliers showcased their latest innovations and building products.

Community spirit and local investment

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Leah Kirkpatrick, joined by Martin Farrell (Managing Director, Murdock Home Centre & Builders Merchants), Paul Wilson (Antrim Branch Manager), Pamela Lunn (Antrim Retail Manager), Pearse Gildernew (Regional Manager), and Chris Flynn (Centre Director, The Junction).

The event was also attended by local MLAs, councillors, and community representatives.

The new Murdock Home Centre combines the company’s trusted builders merchants expertise with an inspirational retail environment, designed to appeal to both trade professionals and DIY enthusiasts.

The opening has created 22 new local jobs and offers a wide range of products — from paint, doors and flooring to landscaping and outdoor displays — positioning it as a one-stop destination for building, renovating and home improvement.

“A real sense of community”

Speaking at the event, Martin Farrell, Managing Director of Murdock Builders Merchants & Home Centre, said:

“The response from the Antrim community has been absolutely fantastic. Our official launch day truly captured what Murdock is all about - great people, great products, and a real sense of community.

“We’re proud to bring our very first Home Centre to The Junction, offering both trade and retail customers everything they need for building, renovating and improving, all under one roof.”

Chris Flynn, Centre Director at The Junction, commented:

“We’re delighted to officially welcome Murdock to The Junction. Their arrival brings something completely new to our site and strengthens our mix of retail, trade and family-friendly experiences.

“The launch day was a huge success - lively, fun and full of community spirit - and we look forward to seeing Murdock continue to thrive here in Antrim.”

Mayor Leah Kirkpatrick added:

“It’s wonderful to see Murdock investing in Antrim and creating new opportunities for local people. The Home Centre is a fantastic addition to The Junction and offers something for everyone, from trade professionals to families improving their homes. The energy and enthusiasm at the official opening really showed how much this means to the community.”

With its vibrant launch, enthusiastic turnout and strong local support, the Murdock Home Centre & Builders Merchants at The Junction stands as a symbol of community investment and growth, continuing Murdock’s proud tradition of supporting local economies across Northern Ireland.