Private bus companies in the Republic of Ireland are offering weekly day trips to Asda in Strabane from Dublin and Athlone so customers can take advantage of the cheaper food prices in the North.

The weekly bus runs have contributed to the stores recorded 10 per cent increase in euro sales in the past year.

ASDA Strabane’s General Store Manager, Eugene Teague said that he was “overwhelmed” by how popular the store has become with Republic of Ireland customers.

“A year ago approximately 28% of our weekly sales were paid for with euro. Now, we are seeing this figure regularly rise to 38%.

“RoI customers are telling us that prices there are just too high and given how close Strabane is to the border, it makes a lot more sense to make the trip across to make their budget stretch further,” he said.

He added: “We have always had a high RoI footfall, but we have been overwhelmed by how popular the new store has become with shoppers on both sides of the border.” Strabane’s Asda store, which is one of the closest stores to the border, has also seen weekly sales in excess of £1million, a substantial proportion of which came from cross border trade. Speaking on behalf of Strabane Chamber of Commerce, Joe Barber, welcomed the recent influx of cross border shoppers and said he hoped all traders could benefit from the bus runs. “It can only be good for all of the traders in the town if new potential customers can be brought to our doorstep. We would however reiterate that if all of the traders are to benefit fully from this development then the links between the retail park and the town centre need to be improved substantially and immediately,” he added.

Mr Barber said the issue of car parking and coach set down had to be addressed so visitors could spend a full day shopping in the town rather than just calling to one centre and leaving. There are many goods available in Dublin which are also available in Strabane but the prices are lower here even before you take into account the more favourable exchange rate at the minute. “Strabane traders are renowned for offering quality goods, excellent value and customer service which is often lacking in many bigger centres. Strabane has so much to offer and it would be a pity if visitors left before seeing the full picture. Many more would return and more often,” Mr Barber said.