A popular garden centre is set to open a new flagship store at The Junction Retail & Leisure Park in Antrim.
Planning permission has been granted for a 110,000 square foot Dobbies Garden Centre on the site. This is one of the largest retail lettings in the UK and Ireland in recent years, with the store anticipated for a Spring 2023 opening.
The £10million project at Lotus Property-owned The Junction will be Dobbies' second venture in Northern Ireland, its largest store in Ireland, and one of the largest in its UK portfolio.
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Proposals for the Antrim store include outdoor and indoor plant areas, sections for gardening products, outdoor furniture, pets, gifting and toys.
As well as this, shoppers can find a cookshop and home décor, a foodhall, children's soft play area, new restaurant, and café on site.
Graeme Jenkins, CEO at Dobbies said: “We’re delighted to have been given the green light to move ahead with our plans to open our store at The Junction, building on the success of our established Lisburn garden centre.
“Its prime position off the M2, just north of Belfast City Centre and towards the popular Antrim coast, will allow us to bring the Dobbies’ experience to a new area within Northern Ireland.”
The store is expected to attract a footfall of around one million visitors per year, creating 110 new full and part-time jobs, making it one of the largest employers at The Junction and within Antrim town.
Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Billy Webb added: “I am absolutely delighted to welcome Dobbies to Antrim.
"This new flagship store will bring 110 new full and part time jobs to the Borough and represents another significant investment which will further enhance Antrim’s reputation as a destination for retail, leisure, food and hospitality.”
Welcoming the news, Alastair Coulson, Managing Director at Lotus Property, commented: "We’re thrilled to receive the news that planning permission has been granted for this flagship store.
"Not only is it fantastic news for The Junction and the local economy but also a signal that Northern Ireland is open for business. It is fast becoming one of the UK’s most promising retail environments, especially with regards edge of town shopping and leisure.”
Lotus Property was advised by Johnstone Property Consultants. Mark Johnstone, Managing Director said: "This is a hugely significant retail letting in Northern Ireland to what will be one of the largest Dobbies Garden Centres in its portfolio.
"The scale of the store will allow Dobbies to deliver a tremendous customer experience, which is anticipated to bring up to one million customers per year. The scale of the signing is testament to the importance of physical retail stores and the continued strength of edge of town retail schemes.”
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