Lidl announces 15 jobs at Connswater
The future of the Connswater Shopping Centre looks increasingly bright as Lidl announces 15 new jobs as part of plans to expand its presence at the retail park.
The development is a further boost for the retail park, whose future had been in doubt since both Tesco and Dunnes Stores pulled out at the end of February.
Lidl said it will relocate within the retail park to a newly refurbished “ultra-modern” 23,000 sq ft unit. The discounter has taken on a 25 year lease, and the store will be modeled on the recent openings in Lisburn’s Bentrim Road and Belfast’s High Street.
The investment is expected create up to 15 new jobs for the local area if planning is approved.
The news comes as motoring accessories chain Halfords confirmed it will occupy one of the centre’s 9,500 sq ft units on a ten year lease, while Carpetright has signed a lease on a 3,098 sq ft unit.
Gerry Monaghan, manager of Connswater Shopping Centre and Retail Park, said: “Lidl’s decision to plan for a significant expansion in the retail park is fantastic news for Connswater and for the local area.
“It’s a major vote of confidence in the current store, in the staff they have and their loyal customers.”
“Recently we have seen retailers positively invest inside the centre, including Specsavers which responded to a rise in demand with a £300,000 expansion into a larger unit and Vodafone which opened a new concept store, a first for them in east Belfast.”
Paul Gibson, sales operations executive for Lidl NI, said: ““We see great potential in this location and are looking forward to enhancing the shopping experience at this branch.”
East Belfast Alliance Westminster candidate Naomi Long welcomed the news, describing it as a “significant step” towards securing the centre’s future.
“It reiterates the confidence retailers have in Connswater and is an important building block. I would be hopeful further investment by other retailers will follow this news, and I will continue to work with Connswater management to support their plans to secure the future of the centre.”
The Newtownards Road retail park is one of Northern Ireland’s oldest shopping centres.
