Ramsey’s Tesco: The Seventh Wonder!

Ramsey’s all stocked up as the town’s shiny new Tesco store opened its doors this morning.

This makes it the seventh Tesco outlet on the Isle of Man since the supermarket giant gobbled up Shoprite.

The old Shoprite store in Ramsey closed on June 22 and has been revamped into the newest Tesco, complete with opening hours from 7am to 11pm, Monday to Saturday, and a more relaxed 9am to 6pm on Sundays.

This isn’t Ramsey’s first taste of Tesco, though – the smaller Shoprite in St Paul’s Square was given the Tesco treatment earlier this year.

The Ramsey store will be the last island Tesco to reopen under store director Andy Sanderson’s watch.

Mr Sanderson has been responsible for overseeing the redevelopment of the old Shoprite stores since the sale was confirmed last year.

He was brought over as store director over a year ago to manage the stores’ Tesco transition but has now accepted a role in London.

He is set to leave the Isle of Man on Saturday.

He said: ‘We’re really pleased to open the Ramsey store for customers again.

‘We know it’s been closed for an awfully long time, and the residents of Ramsey depend on the choice that we offer.

‘So we’re really happy and all the customers have been super impressed with what we’ve done for them’

Speaking about his departure, Andy said: ‘I’ve taken a role in London but I’m really sad about leaving the island.

‘I’ve been here for a year now and I love it here, the residents and customers have been fantastic, really kind and welcoming, and I’m really proud of what we’ve been able to do.

‘I’ve got a replacement starting next week so there will be a seamless transition and hopefully everything will be as it has been.’

Although the official opening date has not been confirmed, Mr Sanderson shared some updates on the Derby Road, Peel store.

‘We’re just getting some more power upgrade work done with Manx Utilities’ he said.

‘The really good news for Peel is we’ve put in an external ATM, and we know the residents of Peel have been asking for more cash access for a while.

‘So that’s outside, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.’

The final store to be rebranded under Tesco’s banner will be Winerite on Victoria Road in Douglas, which is set to open in the new year.