The Range preparing plans for new store at Riverside Retail Park in Coleraine

The Range is in the early stages of securing a site for a new store at Riverside Retail Park in Coleraine, with preparations underway ahead of a potential planning application.

Explore Causeway Coast & Glens understands the retailer is considering a new-build unit beside Currys at the popular retail park.

Details of the proposed development were obtained by Explore Causeway Coast & Glens editor Geoffrey Moffett, who understands that the process of securing the site and preparing a planning application is currently under way.

The proposals remain at an early stage, with a formal planning application still to be submitted and any development ultimately requiring planning approval before work could begin.

However, the prospect of another major retailer establishing a presence at Riverside is likely to be welcomed as a further sign of investment in Coleraine's retail sector.

The Range operates stores across the UK and offers a wide selection of products including homeware, furniture, garden products, DIY, decorating, arts and crafts and other household goods.

Councillor Tanya Elder welcomed the emerging plans and said a new store could create additional jobs and offer more choice for shoppers in the area.

“This is very positive news for Coleraine. The Range would bring additional jobs, greater consumer choice and further investment to Riverside Retail Park,” she said.

“Subject to planning approval, this would be another welcome vote of confidence in Coleraine as a retail destination.”

Riverside Retail Park is already one of the main shopping areas serving Coleraine and the wider Causeway Coast and Glens area, with a number of national retailers operating from the site.

The potential arrival of The Range would further expand the retail offering available at Riverside and could also create new employment opportunities if the development receives the necessary approvals and progresses to opening.

At this stage, details including the final size and design of the proposed unit, the number of jobs which could be created and a potential opening date have not been confirmed.

Those details are expected to become clearer should a formal planning application be lodged.

Mr Moffett said the information obtained by Explore Causeway Coast & Glens indicates that the proposals are still at an early stage and that the planning process will ultimately determine whether the development can proceed.

Any formal application would go through the normal planning process, during which detailed proposals for the site would become publicly available and be considered by the relevant planning authority.

While it remains early days, the emerging proposal suggests another significant retail name could come to Coleraine, along with further investment at Riverside Retail Park.

Explore Causeway Coast & Glens will continue to follow the proposals and provide further updates as more information becomes available.