Around 200 jobs could be created with plans for a state-of-the-art office suite on the first floor of the former Debenhams store at Rushmere, Armagh I can reveal.
A £2.7 million investment is on the cards as part of the latest plans for the Craigavon-based retail centre.
The first floor of Debenhams, which had included an in-store cafe, has remained vacant since the anchor tenant left in May 2021, with Primark taking over the ground floor only in December of the following year.
Proposals emerged three years ago to have the first floor subdivided to make way for a new 24-hour gym. But despite being given approval, it never materialised.
Now Formation Works Ltd have submitted plans to ABC Council to bring the first floor back into use which, if successful, would provide a major jobs boost for County Armagh.
The new office suite would boast floorspace of close to 22,000 sq ft.
As well as the vacant first floor, the plans also cover two ‘ancillary’ units on the same level which serve as offices, canteen, showers and a changing area for the shopping centre.
The fresh proposals would see the creation of a large open plan office space for 180 work stations and 10 separate cubicles, along with six meeting/boardrooms. There would also be ‘ancillary spaces’ for a reception, staff room/breakout area, stores, IT room and toilets.
The new office suite would be accessed internally through the shopping centre and also directly from the surface level car park via existing stairs.
A planning statement explains: “These will be dressed to provide two new entrance features along the western elevation of the shopping centre. New glazing panels will be installed along the western and southern elevations to upgrade the façades so that the building has a better presence when seen from the public road network.
“The installation of the glazing will also maximise its natural lighting.”
And the statement adds: “The existing escape staircases on the western elevation will be reused as main entrances into the building, meaning that the office can be accessed outside of the shopping centre’s normal opening hours.
“The reuse of the shopping centre’s lifts will mean that the unit will continue to be fully accessible for disabled members of the public.
“No dedicated parking is provided within the scheme. It will rely on 1,859 spaces that are available to serve the entire retail complex.”
While Rushmere was originally built in 1976, it was redeveloped in the 1990s with a ‘phase two’ extension in 1998. A further ‘phase three’ came about six years later – of which the old Debenhams unit is part – and the most recent extension in 2018 was under the new owners, Killahoey Ltd, adding restaurant units and leading to a wave of refurbishment and regeneration proposals since their arrival.
According to the planning statement, the planned office suite, if approved, would deliver a significant boost for the area, both in terms of jobs and investment.
“The proposal will represent a total investment of £2.7 million into the area and will create jobs for the approximately 200 members of staff although, given the flexible working arrangements now in place for many organisations, it is estimated that a maximum of 80 people will be on the site at any given time,” it advises.
“It will also contribute to additional net rateable value for the council. All of these economic issues should be accorded weight in the decision-making process.”
Giving further reason as to why the applicant believes the plans should be passed, the statement adds: “Converting underutilised retail units into office space will ensure active use of the premises, reduces risk of long term vacancy and any associated negative impact on the surrounding complex.
“Offices generate consistent footfall and create demand for nearby services, such as retail and hospitality, contributing to the overall sustainability of Craigavon’s Town Centre.
“The proposed development will also contribute to the financial future of the shopping centre and underpin and secure the ongoing refurbishment and regeneration of the complex.”
The application is now due to be advertised shortly.
