British supermarket chain ASDA plans to create 150 new jobs as part of a £20 million investment in north Belfast.
The company said it planned to relocate its existing Shore Road store to anchor a new mixed use retail, residential and recreational development on the Loughshore Playing Fields on the Shore Road.
The move and investment would result in a much bigger 54,000 sales area as well as the new jobs.
The wider plans for the site, which are subject to planning permission, are being brought forward by Belfast City Council and local company Bayshore Developments following their success in a council-run development competition.
The plans include the development of modern leisure facilities for public use including playing fields, a multi-purpose building for community use as well as children’s play areas adjacent to Shore Crescent and Mount Vernon.
The existing ASDA site would be used - after its relocation - for social and private housing.
Philip Bartram, Property Communications Manager for ASDA said: “These new plans represent a significant investment which will bring with them an additional 150 jobs and a new, improved and larger store to the people of North Belfast.
“We are very excited about the plans being proposed by Bayshore Developments and Belfast City Council and believe they can play a significant part in regenerating this part of the Shore Road.
The whole development offers much improved leisure facilities for all ages, a mix of private and social housing, a greatly improved retail offer and of course local jobs and investment.“
Commenting on the confirmation of ASDA as anchor tenant, Robert Morgan, Director of Bayshore Developments said; “We are pleased to have reached agreement to bring ASDA into the retail element of the scheme.
They believe this overall development will regenerate Shore Road economically but also in terms of lifestyle with affordable housing, leisure and community provision presently lacking in this area.”
PA