£2.5M retail and fuel facility for Belfast International Airport

A total of 35 new jobs will be created and 30 construction workers employed after Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council unanimously approved the project.

The airport is enjoying its busiest ever summer and expects to exceed five million passengers this year with further growth anticipated next year.

The new Airport Road facility is scheduled to open in spring next year.

The developer, Dunadry-based Moorefield Contracts, will construct a 10,500 square foot retail outlet with a High Street food retailer, sandwich bar, coffee kiosk, hot food drive-through, children’s play area and forecourt with 16 fuelling bays.

Canice Mallaghan from Moorefield Contracts said: “We are delighted with the unanimous decision by the council in support of our application.

“Our £2.5 million project mirrors the confidence that’s evident at the airport which is enjoying unprecedented passenger growth.

“It’s also a clear vote of confidence in South Antrim and clearly the council has bought into our vision.

“The 35 permanent jobs will inject more than half a million pounds in wages annually into the local economy.

“We are engaged in positive discussions with a number of potential retail operators and expect to successfully conclude our negotiations within a matter of weeks.”