Clearhill secures £1.4m contract with Asda stores

A Banbridge company has secured a major deal with supermarket chain Asda worth £1.4million.
Economy Minister Simon Hamilton MLA (left) with Brian McAreavey, Commercial Director for Clearhill and John McAreavey, Financial Director for Clearhill. Picture by Brian Thompson PhotographyEconomy Minister Simon Hamilton MLA (left) with Brian McAreavey, Commercial Director for Clearhill and John McAreavey, Financial Director for Clearhill. Picture by Brian Thompson Photography
Economy Minister Simon Hamilton MLA (left) with Brian McAreavey, Commercial Director for Clearhill and John McAreavey, Financial Director for Clearhill. Picture by Brian Thompson Photography

Leisure vending specialists Clearhill Retail Entertainment will be rolling out its latest range of ‘Kiddie Rides’ to 112 Asda stores.

The Scarva Road Industrial Estate-based firm supplies leisure products to more than 220 shopping centres across the UK and Ireland.

Congratulating the company on the new contract, Economy Minister Simon Hamilton said: “Clearhill offers one of the largest ranges of children’s rides, toy carts and photo booths in the UK. This impressive deal with Asda is the latest contract win for the company this year having already secured over £3million in new business with shopping centre giants Hammerson and ReDefine. This new deal will see Clearhill’s products being installed in over 100 Asda stores, almost one fifth of all Asda supermarkets in the UK.

“Having benefited from employment, marketing, IT and R&D support from Invest Northern Ireland, Clearhill have been able to capitalise on new market opportunities and growing sales in Great Britain. This has created additional employment opportunities in Banbridge helping benefit the local economy.”

Brian McAreavey, Commercial Director for Clearhill commented: “The Asda contract is the latest in a recent run of big successes for Clearhill and is indicative of the scale on which we are operating right now. We have invested in the recruitment of new members of staff across a range of skilled positions and are always growing and improving.

“With more than 200 customers hosting over 2,000 pieces of machinery, Clearhill is the industry’s market-leader on the island of Ireland with 76 per cent market share. The company, which has been operating for almost 25 years, also has a 35 per cent share in the UK market which is still growing.

“We will initially be rolling out our latest range of Kiddie Rides to 112 Asda stores with hopes to increase that number in 2017. These rides will include the newest interactive games and licensed brands including Peppa Pig, PAW Patrol and Disney.”

Invest Northern Ireland has offered Clearhill more than £160,000 to support its development activities, including assistance with research and development, market development support and an employment grant towards the recruitment of five new staff.