Speculation is mounting that Greggs is poised to open at Rushmere Shopping Centre in Craigavon.
It comes as plans have been lodged for a new eatery at the unit currently occupied by Trespass.
The two-storey outlet sits next door to Primark, which opened just before Christmas 2022 in the old Debenhams unit.
Armagh I also revealed plans for a huge new state-of-the-art gym – which would create over 30 jobs – for the first floor of the former Debenhams store
And with the arrival of Miniso and Waterstones and a new Subway unit on the cards, there are plans in place for a new arrival.
An application for a change of use at Unit G – currently home to outdoor clothing store Trespass – has been submitted to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
It is for the “conversion of retail unit to coffee shop/cafe”.
Greggs has neither confirmed, nor denied, at this stage that it is behind the new cafe.
When approached by Armagh I, a Greggs spokesperson said simply: “Greggs is always looking into new shop locations. While we are unable to confirm anything at the moment, we will share any information in due course.”
The unit offers over 3,400 sq ft of floorspace over two floors, with access via an internal staircase.
According to a supporting statement, the site forms “part of the phase three extension” and the unit is located within the prime retail core of “Craigavon town centre”.
It adds: “It is currently occupied by Trespass, a clothing, footwear and camping equipment outlet. It uses both floors for the sale of retail goods.
“The proposal seeks to meet both the need for an outlet for refreshment for shoppers using this part of the shopping centre. Previously this need was met within the Debenhams unit on the first floor of Unit A.
“Since Debenhams closed in May 2021 that need has been unmet.”
The changes would see the creation of an open plan area for tables and chairs over both floors, as well as a servery, food preparation area and small store on the ground floor to include an area for waste disposal.
The application also details “ancillary accommodation” on the first floor which would be for staff use and not open to the public.
According to the statement, the food would be prepared off site.
And it states: “Those items will include pies, quiches, sausage rolls, soups and other similar items that only require to be heated up for consumption. There will be no cooking on site and therefore no requirement for any extraction or ventilation equipment.”
The new coffee shop/cafe would be “open at times to coincide with the operating times of the shopping centre”.
The application is now due to be advertised shortly and time will tell if Greggs is to become the latest tenant – or another similar eatery – of the Craigavon shopping centre.
