Redpath is to continue to put pressure on Tesco to open store

Work at the new store, which was supposed to open in the summer, stopped some weeks ago, adding to local speculation that Tesco had scrapped plans to continue with it.

Some weeks ago Tesco mothballed a £22m store in Chatteris, England which was due to open in November. The company dropped the bombshell just weeks after it appointed a new chief executive Dave Lewis to stem falling profits.

Tesco recently took over the old Birthday’s site in Lisburn, which had been a vacant for the past two years.

But Mr Redpath said that he has been in contact with planners and said he will be keeping an eye on developments.

“I have been regularly in touch with the planning service regarding the progress of this application,” he said.

“Sadly, the planning application in regards to the signage for the shop is still ongoing. Until this is completed the store is unlikely to open.

“The signage is particularly difficult as Bow Street is subjected to special planning restrictions owing to the heritage and historical significance of the area.

“However I have been given assurances by the planning service that this application is at a very advanced stage and subject to some additional information being made available they hope to be in a position to grant permission in the next week or two.

“Twenty people are due to be employed in this store and I understand some have already received job offers and are waiting for the store to open. It is agonising to be in receipt of a job offer and be unable to take it up especially given the current economic climate. This makes it even more important that this application is processed ASAP.”

A spokesperson for the DoE said: “The Department is currently processing two planning applications for a new shop front S/2014/0178/F and advertisement consent S/2014/0337/A for Tesco in Bow Street, Lisburn.

“The site is located within the Lisburn Conservation Area and planning policy places great importance on the preservation of the existing character and appearance of such areas.

“In this case the Department requested amendments to the applications and revised plans have been recently submitted for consideration.”

A spokesperson for Tesco said, “We’re keen to open our new Tesco Express in Bow Street as soon as possible. As soon as we have a definitive opening date, we’ll share this with the people of Lisburn.”