However, Mr. Crawford also made it clear he believed the unveiling of the department store's plan for a 50 million Euro outlet in O'Connell Street would prove 'a test of the seriousness' with which Northern Ireland's politicians treat the province's economy.

He said an urgent decision was required from planners on the revised Sprucefield Park proposals and claimed the opening of a John Lewis store in Dublin before one at Sprucefield would be 'a terrible indictment' of Northern Ireland's planning process given the first application was lodged four years ago.

The Mayor also warned there was 'still the possibility' Northern Ireland could lose 'not only the initiative but potentially 1,000 much-needed jobs'.

If this happened, he added, local politicans would carry the responsibility.

"The John Lewis name is a huge draw for shoppers. Rather than shoppers staying in Northern Ireland they will simply go in coach-loads to Dublin if John Lewis goes there and the Lisburn store is not approved," he said. "In current economic conditions, and with future economic predictions, it is vital to ensure that Northern Ireland plc provides a complete choice of shopping for consumers. The Sprucefield development would also bring many benefits to the local economy."

Mr. Crawford urged everyone who wanted to see John Lewis open a store at Sprucefield to sign the City Council's petition supporting the Westfield development.

The Dublin store will be John Lewis's first outside the United Kingdom.
The company has agreed to take the anchor unit in 'Dublin Centre', a 1.2 billion euro retail complex by developer Chartered Lands expected to open in 2013.

The store will cover an area of 250,000 square feet spread over five floors and is predicted to bring 800 jobs to the Republic's capital.