A £30 million project to redevelop The Junction retail park in Antrim has reached a second milestone following the completion of new infrastructure.
The shopping centre, owned by the Banbridge-based Lotus Group, has benefited from new roads, a public square and a tree-planting programme.
Lotus and Tristan Captial Partners bought the Co Antrim retail site in 2016 alongside The Boulvard in Banbridge in 2016 for around £40m.
In the past three years the Co Down group has enacted a redevelopment programme at the 95 acre site in Antrim, with the goal of making it the north’s largest shopping and leisure destination.
It now houses just over 30 stores, along with a cinema and series of restaurants.
A new Starbucks drive-thru is expected to open later in the month, with new Nando’s and TGI Fridays restaurants due to open in early 2020.
Managing director of Lotus Property, Alastair Coulson said: “We are confident that the redesign of the scheme will continue to attract new tenants from retail, leisure and food and beverage sectors and offer new and existing customers reasons to return time and time again.
“Out of town retail and leisure destinations are enjoying a renaissance and we are committed to delivering on what families in the local area and from further afield want – choice, variety and value for money.”
Chris Flynn, recently appointed as centre director, said the efforts to transform The Junction would continue with a number of new retail and leisure tenants soon to be announced.
“The retail environment has been challenging over the last number of years and what consumers want has changed. The Junction is evolving to meet those demands and we believe our offering can be among the best on the island of Ireland – perfectly situated to attract locals from the Antrim, Mid Ulster and Greater Belfast area as well as a perfect pit stop for those coming from further afield on their way to or back from our world famous north coast.”
