The former premises of Newry’s JJB Sports has become available to let with prior planning permission for the first floor space to be redeveloped into a restaurant.
Based on Hill Street, the city’s “primary retailing location” the expansive three-storey property was home to one the country’s most well known sports brands.
However, since JJB Sports were forced into administration in 2012, subsequently closing their branches across the UK, the prominent street-facing building has been unable to secure a suitable new tenant.
It continued to bear the now long-forgotten company’s insignia on it’s shop front until approximately 2019 when it was removed and given a fresh lick of paint.
And, as it is regarded as a building of “special architectural interest”, contributing to the “character of the Conservation Area”, this building has visually been kept in good condition despite its vacancy.
Around the same time, planning permission was granted to MLG Retail Services NI – a Co Down-based wholesale clothing retailer – for a change of use to the existing ground floor retail space into a restaurant. Proposals included elevational changes and the conversion of upper floors from storage space to provide three apartment.
Under the agency of Cushman & Wakefield Property Services the 3,798 sq ft premises is now available to let on an annual lease of £25,000.
Described as “ready to go”, the agent also says that planning permission remains “in place” to change the existing ground floor retail to restaurant use.
Interested parties should contact Cushman & Wakefield for more information.
