80 retail jobs on the way as The Range confirms new home at Connswater centre

The new 65,000sqft store will represent an investment of £2 million by The Range, with a further £1m investment being made by the landlord. It is anticipated that The Range will be the catalyst to increase footfall at the centre to 100,000 per week.

The Range is currently going through a period of mass expansion and growth, with the UK retailer now operating over 140 stores across the UK and Ireland.

The Connswater store will feature a total of 16 departments including an outdoof gaden centre and will also have a family cafe.

“We are excited to welcome The Range to Connswater Shopping Centre and Retail Park later this year,” said Brendan Boyd, director of Alfred Street Properties Ltd which owns the centre.

“This is great news not only for the scheme but for east Belfast and the local economy as well.

“The Range’s arrival is further confirmation that the scheme has turned a corner. This is just one of several notable deals which have taken place recently. Starbucks opened its first ever Drive Thru in Northern Ireland earlier this year, Lidl doubled its store format opening in July and Home Bargains is also set to open a 20,000 sq ft superstore in the retail park in December in the previous Harry Corry/Lidl space.”

Chris Dawson, the owner and founder of The Range commented on the new store: “Opening a new store is always an exciting moment for the company and Connswater is no exception. It will be our third store in Northern Ireland following the successful launch in Ballymena in 2016 and Derry-Londonderry in June this year.

“The new store in Connswater is a great step in helping the business to progress and grow and we are really excited to continue our Northern Irish expansion in Belfast.”

Colin Mathewson, senior director at cmmercial agents CBRE, which acted on the deal said: “We are delighted to have secured a letting of this major unit at Connswater with The Range. This will be their first opening in Belfast and represents a major investment by both landlord and tenant.

Ryan Kee, director of retail agency at Lambert Smith Hampton, who act on behalf of the landlord said: “The Range is a fantastic addition to Connswater Shopping Complex and it is testament to the change in dynamic that the scheme has seen in the last year.”