Storm Éowyn: NI supermarket closures announced as Met Office issues red warning
A number of supermarkets across Northern Ireland have announced they will close on Friday, January 24, due to Storm Éowyn's arrival.
Lidl stores across the country will not open on Friday during the hours that the red weather warning issued by the Met Office remains in place.
In a statement a Lidl spokesperson said:" Due to Storm Éowyn, all Lidl Ireland / Lidl Northern Ireland stores will close on Friday 24 January during any red weather warning that is in place.
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"Stores are planned to reopen one hour after weather warnings lift in local areas, if safe to do so. Customers are advised to check latest weather warning information for their local area. Stay safe."
Tesco have also announced that they will be closing their stores in Northern Ireland on Friday, January 24, along with cancelling click and collect and home delivery orders. Members of staff who have been scheduled to work will still be paid as normal.
A Tesco spokesperson said: "To ensure the safety of our colleagues and customers, we will be closing our stores in Northern Ireland on 24 January, whilst the red weather warning is in place for Storm Éowyn. We are very sorry for the inconvenience and thank our customers for their understanding.”
Asda have also followed suit, saying their stores in Northern Ireland will also be closed on Friday from 6am, and online deliveries booked have also been cancelled, and new orders suspended.
An Asda spokesperson said: "“The safety of our colleagues and customers is paramount and so all Asda stores in Northern Ireland will be shut from 6am tomorrow until it is safe to reopen. We will review the situation throughout the day and take in the latest guidance. We thank our customers for their understanding."
A red warning for wind for Northern Ireland is in place from 7am to 2pm on Friday, January 23.
A Met Office spokesperson said: "Southwesterly then westerly winds will rapidly increase from west to east during the Friday morning rush hour with peak gusts of 80-90 mph fairly widely and perhaps up to 100 mph along some exposed coasts.
"This brings the risk of significant disruption to transport and power supplies, as well as dangerous conditions outdoors. Winds will gradually ease from the south through Friday afternoon."
On Thursday,the Education Minister announced that all schools across Northern Ireland are to close due to the weather warning.
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