Superquinn is seeking up to 17 voluntary redundancies from its 96- strong workforce at its supermarket in Clonmel, Co Tipperary, in a bid to return the store to profitability. This represents about 18 per cent of Superquinn's Clonmel employees. Ciarán Hancockreports.

Select Retail Holdings, which owns Superquinn, is also seeking greater flexibility in work practices as part of an extensive survival plan for the store.

Full- and part-time staff are due to vote on the proposals next week, which have been negotiated with Mandate and Siptu. The redundancy package is being made available to all staff.

If the proposals are accepted, Select Retail Holdings, which owns Superquinn, has committed to refurbishing the store and putting a significant marketing push behind it.

Simon Burke, Superquinn's chief executive, said the company would spend about €500,000 on the revamp, marketing costs and redundancy payments if the plan is accepted.

"We're hopeful that it will be supported by our colleagues," Mr Burke said. "We believe this plan will provide the basis for the store to trade profitably in the course of the next year."

Mr Burke declined to comment on the terms of the redundancy package. It is understood, however, that staff are being offered three to five weeks salary for every year of service.

On Emmet Street in the heart of Clonmel, Superquinn has been under pressure from Tesco and Dunnes Stores, which operate bigger edge-of-town stores with large car parks. Superquinn shoppers also have to use a nearby pay-and-display car park, which is not owned by the grocery retailer.

Clonmel is one of 21 stores operated by Superquinn. Select Retail Holdings, whose backers include successful property developers Bernard McNamara and Jerry O'Reilly, acquired the company in 2005 from Feargal Quinn and his family.