'˜Rushmere is sucking life out of town'

Colin Robinson, the proprietor of Dolce & Gelato ice cream shop in West Street, admitted it had been an emotional day on Saturday when he closed the doors for the final time after six and a half years.

Mr Robinson is to concentrate on two other businesses, including the thriving Dolce & Gelato at the Scarva Tea Rooms, but the Portadown Chamber of Commerce member fired a broadside at those who had facilitated the ongoing expansion of Rushmere.

“We are sad about it. It’s very emotional after putting so much effort in. We were trying our best to help in a small way with the regeneration of the town but sadly the weight of development at Rushmere is taking people out of Portadown and Lurgan town centres.”

The Double Deuce diner at Market Street has also closed and Mr Robinson warned of the difficult task facing retailers because of Rushmere.

“Government departments have managed to destroy town centres, Portadown is no different to the rest,” he continued.

“Rates were not a factor, ours fell from £11,000 to £6,000.

“But it’s not a level playing field. There are five cafes at Rushmere with all its footfall, yet we have 13 here in Portadown.

“Planning permission should not have been granted for such a large out of town shopping centre. The planning officers are supposed to be there to prevent development that has a negative effect on town centres but Rushmere has sucked the lifeblood out of Portadown and Lurgan.”

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