Business

Belfast-based credit union operator to open new city branch

Pictured announcing that CCU is to open a new branch in The Park Centre are: CCU membership officer, Lynette McMullan; Park Centre community engagement manager, John Boyle; CCU Credit Union chief executive Ruth Clarke; and Park Centre manager, Ruth Lindsay.
Pictured announcing that CCU is to open a new branch in The Park Centre are: CCU membership officer, Lynette McMullan; Park Centre community engagement manager, John Boyle; CCU Credit Union chief executive Ruth Clarke; and Park Centre manager, Ruth Lindsa Pictured announcing that CCU is to open a new branch in The Park Centre are: CCU membership officer, Lynette McMullan; Park Centre community engagement manager, John Boyle; CCU Credit Union chief executive Ruth Clarke; and Park Centre manager, Ruth Lindsay.

A BELFAST-based credit union is set to open a new branch in the city next month, creating up to six jobs.

Clonard Credit Union (CCU), which has three existing outlets in the city at Northumberland Street, Clonard Gardens and Springfield Road, is to open at the Park Centre in south west Belfast in mid-August.

CCU is taking a unit opposite the site of two new B&M and Home Bargains superstores, set to open this summer.

It was announced in April that the pair will each invest £1 million at the centre and occupy a combined 40,000 sq ft within the former Dunnes Stores retail unit, creating around 100 new jobs.

In addition, Park Centre owner, Latt Ltd, has pledged £1m towards enhancing the offering at the popular retail and leisure development.

CCU chief executive, Ruth Clarke said the new branch is a response to growing demand.

"We are delighted to announce that we are opening a new branch in the Park Centre, which will serve the communities of south-west Belfast."

"We have three other branches in Belfast and the opening of our new branch is a statement of our popularity and our growth among people who want to save, and want to access loans with a very low interest rate and take advantage of our full range of banking services," she said.

Ruth Lindsay, Park Centre manager welcomed the new tenant and teased further announcements could follow in the near future

"Discussions are ongoing with other brand names and we are looking forward to adding further new retailers in the period ahead," she said.

"The addition of CCU along with the upcoming opening of a Home Bargains superstore and a new B&M Stores superstore is excellent news for the Park Centre and for the local area, with both significant investment and an important jobs boost."

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