Business

Major jobs boost as B&M and Home Bargains superstores to launch at Park Centre

Park Centre manager Ruth Lindsay with Stephen McGeown from Latt Ltd and CBRE’s Colin Mathewson
Park Centre manager Ruth Lindsay with Stephen McGeown from Latt Ltd and CBRE’s Colin Mathewson Park Centre manager Ruth Lindsay with Stephen McGeown from Latt Ltd and CBRE’s Colin Mathewson

A NEW 20,000 sq ft B&M superstore will open at Belfast's Park Centre on Thursday, coming ahead of a large Home Bargains outlet opening there later this year, in a move which is creating 100 jobs and should significantly increase the centre's footfall.

Between them, the two stores will occupy over 40,000 sq ft of space in total with over 100 new jobs expected to be created and over £3 million invested (£1m each by the two retailers and the other £1m by Park Centre landlord Latt Ltd).

Variety retailer B&M has grown to 600 stores and employs 28,000 staff, selling top branded products at low prices, while Home Bargains is one of the UK’s fastest growing discount retailers, boasting more than 400 stores and employing17,000-plus staff.

Stephen McGeown, director of Latt Ltd, said: “The fact that both Home Bargains and B&M Stores are opening new superstores in the Park Centre this year is great news for us and the local community.

“We are also delighted that home healthcare provider Connected Health, Maggies Grooming Service and CCU Credit Union have recently also opened new units in the Park Centre, with PK Vapes also set to open in the next few days. The centre now looks to the future with confidence.”

Colin Mathewson, senior director at CBRE, who worked with the Park Centre to secure both investments, said: “Discussions are ongoing with other brand names and we are looking forward to adding further new retailers in the period ahead.”