Home interiors and fashion retail giant Matalan is planning to open a new flagship store at Banbridge.
At close to 45,000 sq ft, it would be one of the retailer’s biggest outlets in Northern Ireland.
And it would come as a huge boost to the ABC borough, delivering scores of jobs when up and running.
The development is the latest name big name brand setting its sights on the Bridgewater Retail Park.
It is the second phase of development at the site which, as previously reported, will deliver three new drive-thru units too.
A full planning application to proceed is expected to be lodged with Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council in the not-too-distant future and follows the submission of an earlier pre-application notice signalling the proposed new addition’s intent.
The line-up for the extended row of stores – which includes the Range, Tesco, EZ Living, Home Bargains and Marks & Spencer – is now almost complete.
With Iceland’s branded ‘Food Warehouse’ now open at Unit 7, it will prepare to say ‘hello’ to a new neighbour.
For two outlets – Units 8 and 9 – are to be joined to accommodate this new flagship store. The amalgamation was previously approved two years ago although, at that stage, there was no confirmation of intended use – until now!
A change of use is being sought to allow “unrestricted sale and display of retail goods”, with a mezzanine floor increasing retail floorspace. Plans will also include associated car parking and site works “as necessary”.
With the Food Warehouse on one side, Matalan will be joined by B&M Bargains on the other.
As Armagh I revealed last August, B&M Bargains submitted fresh proposals to allow for an extension to Unit 10, which would see it double in size.
Floorspace when built, therefore, would increase for the new B&M Bargains store, from just over 11,000 sq ft to in excess of 22,000 sq ft.
And completing the row to the right hand side of the new unit – with access internally from Unit 10 – would be a previously approved garden centre, “repositioned” and stretching to almost 8,200 sq ft.
To facilitate those plans, the retail development would see a reduction in the car parking available at the Game of Thrones attraction’s park and ride facility.
Matalan – which describes itself an ‘omni-channel’ fashion and homeware retailer – has over 270 stores across the UK and internationally, as well as an integrated online platform.
The new Banbridge outlet would be the retailer’s seventh in Northern Ireland, with its closest being at Rushmere in Craigavon, and the others to be found at Newtownards and Newtownabbey, with two in Belfast and the other in Derry/Londonderry.
The full application is now expected to be made shortly to council.
