Superquinn is to be the anchor tenant in a new shopping and leisure complex planned for the former Carrolls cigarette factory in the centre of Dundalk, Co Louth. An Bord Pleanala is due to announce its decision within three weeks on an objection to the first phase of as £24 million development, which is being promoted by Parolen Properties, a company controlled by Pat Doherty and Gerry Maguire.
Superquinn is to spend £8 million on the acquisition and fitout of a 40,000-square-foot supermarket, which will be the centrepiece of the Carroll Village scheme. There will be a further 44,000 square feet of shopping space aimed primarily at four or five UK multiples. Superquinn opened its first store in Dundalk in 1960 and closed it in 1982. Fergal Quinn, managing director of the group, admitted yesterday the group could not make the shop pay because it had only 6,000 square feet of retail space and there was no parking available in the immediate area. It was not possible to extend its Clanbrassil Street shop at the time and an alternative property was not available. Superquinn now operates 11 supermarkets in Dublin and five others in the provinces.
Carroll Village is being marketed on the basis that it will help to strengthen Dundalk's trading position at a time when nearby Newry is to get a number of major retail developments including new stores for Sainsbury, Marks & Spencer and the household goods multiple MFI.
Parolen Properties is to provide two new high streets linking The Long Walk Shopping Centre, which it also developed with Carroll Village. The new streets will run parallel with Clanbrassil and Church Street and link in to the town centre through Laurels Road.
Mr Maguire said the new streets will greatly improve Dundalk's infrastructure and broaden the appeal of the town.
Parolen Properties is currently building 60 apartments in Carroll Village, which has tax designation. The third phase of the scheme will include a multiplex cinema, a family entertainment centre, fast-food restaurants and a 20-bedroom hotel.
Two buildings on the site, Carroll House and Dundalk House, are both listed for preservation. Dundalk House dates from 1824 and is to be refurbished and used for retail purposes.
