City boost as new retail area creates 50 jobs

shopping area that will

create up to 50 jobs is due

to open next month.

Closed 10 years ago, a former scrapyard close to Bow Street Mall, will house up to 10,000 sq ft of retail and office units with parking space for up to 14 vehicles.

The ambitious project, which hopes to regenerate the city, will be known as ‘Bow Street Retail Park’ and has taken three years to complete.

Already a number of businesses including a hairdressing salon and a tooth whitening bar are to take units, with a number of others keen to move into one of the 12 units.

Access to the new retail park is at the rear of Keys homeware and gardening store off Antrim Street.

Pedestrians will enter the shopping area at any of three locations, one near Titteringtons off Bow Street, another beside Keys hardware store and a third opening behind the Housing Executive offices.

Mr Keys believes that the scheme will attract new business that will help diversify the city centre economy.

“This is major project for Lisburn,” he said. “It has come at a time when the market is improving and more and more local entrepreneurs are looking to set up their own business. What better place than a city centre.

“We will offer retail and office units at reasonable rates and rent located centrally in a busy city centre and shopping area. I hope that it will bring local traders back into the town and it is just 50 yards from Bow Street Mall .”

Agent, Mark McAlpine, added, “It is a boost for Lisburn and the city centre. We would like to see more local traders occupying these spaces.” Planning chairman Uel Mackin welcomed the new shopping area.

“Any business attracting new business into the city is a good thing,” he said. “This is great news for Lisburn and a welcome boost. Anyone hoping to bring new shops to Lisburn is also a positive thing. Anything that brings both jobs and investment has to be welcomed.”