New eateries set for The Junction
American restaurant chain TGI Fridays and a brand-new Starbucks Drive Thru, will complete Phase 1 of the scheme’s masterplan – the food and film zone.
The popular eateries will join the previously announced Nando’s, with all three set to open towards the end of 2019.
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Hide AdConstruction is due to commence this week and will be the next phase in The Junction Northern Ireland’s largest shopping and leisure destination, as part of an overall £30 million redevelopment plan.
Innovations to the site will include a new tree lined entrance road, a feature public square and an extensive new landscaping plan.
The Junction retail park was bought by Lotus Property in 2016 and commenting on the announcement, Craig Stewart, senior asset manager of Lotus Property, said: “We are delighted to receive confirmation of our new TGI Fridays and Starbucks Drive Thru, as well as planning approval to continue with the implementation of our masterplan at The Junction.
“Our plans are set to transform the retail and leisure offering in Antrim, bringing a range of new brands to the area for the first time.
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Hide Ad“From our initial outline planning approval in December 2017, we have worked behind the scenes to push ongoing generation at the site, which has seen new retailers such as McDonald’s, Intersport, Bonmarché and Beauty Outlet to the scheme, as well as the announcement of Nando’s which is set to arrive in 2019.
The announcement follows the recent completion of McDonald’s Drive Thru and the opening of a new LIDL supermarket. Leading UK toy retailer The Entertainer is also set to open only its second store in Northern Ireland at The Junction in June.
It is expected that almost 475 new jobs will be created through the masterplan, with an increased wage bill of £8.4million.
An additional 430 jobs are also expected to be created during the construction phase of the project.