Proposed £5m Home Bargains store to create 60 new retail jobs and 'designed to serve people of Antrim'
A pre-application community consultation is taking place over a proposed new Home Bargains store in Antrim.
The Proposal of Application Notice was presented at last month’s meeting of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Planning Committee by applicant, Liverpool-based parent company, TJ Morris Ltd.
The proposed location for the development is at the former Townparks car showroom site, south-east of Springfarm Roundabout, Ballymena Road, in the town. Townparks Car Sales closed in Antrim last year.
A pre-application community consultation is taking place ahead of submission to the borough council of a full planning application. A consultation event was held on March 12 at Holiday Inn Express, in Antrim. Feedback received will be shared with the design team to help inform the planning process.
The proposal is for the old car showroom building to be demolished and replaced by a modern, single-storey Home Bargains store “designed to serve the needs of people living and working in Antrim”, the company’s website says.
“The building will comprise a rectangular shaped store with approximately 2,230 square metres gross floor space. It will be positioned broadly in the same location as the existing building, fronting Ballymena Road,” it stated.
The scheme includes around 117 car parking spaces (including six accessible spaces). Bike spaces will also be provided. Three pedestrian routes will be provided to allow safe access to the site.
It was also noted that between 80 to 100 construction jobs will be provided with up to 60 new retail jobs on the opening of the new outlet, if planning permission is approved.
A new 23,814 sq ft £5m Home Bargains store opened at Queen Street in Ballymena, in June of last year, with the creation of 75 new jobs just weeks after a new standalone branch of the discount retailer opened at Shore Commercial Park in Carrickfergus and another in Enniskillen the following month.
The Home Bargains chain has more than 600 outlets across the UK and 32 in Northern Ireland. It sells a range of products, including homewares, health and beauty essentials, sweets, snacks and drinks, as well as fresh and frozen food.
Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter