Those behind a new street food market, part of the revamp of a Co Down shopping centre, have revealed more about their plans.
The Flagship Centre on Bangor's Main Street, which was bought by local man Ricky McLarnon and his company Brookland Property in a multi-million-pound deal last year, has been vacant since it closed in 2019.
Since being sold in 2021, Mr McLarnon has said he plans to reopen the centre in phases and has announced that phase one will be the Flagship Arcade with plans for eleven units.
Read more: Bangor Flagship: First look at food market planned for new city
Last month, the company revealed that a planning application for the new Flagship Food Market had been submitted.
They said it is hoped the eight hot food kitchen options will turn the centre into a "foodie destination" for people in Northern Ireland.
As part of its rebirth, there are also plans to have the centre's High Street entrance back in use for the first time in years.
Mr McLarnon wants to remodel and reopen this alternative entrance, which has been shut since the last big name business pulled out of the centre a few years ago.
He has won the backing of Bangor councillors Ray McKimm, Stephen Dunlop, Alderman Wesley Irvine and Mayor Karen Douglas, who have all provided letters of support for the food market planning application.
In a statement on its Facebook page this week, the new owner of the Flagship said: "We're so happy you guys are as excited about the food market as we are!
"We've already had interest from SO MANY amazing food businesses that want to get involved. If you haven't already registered your interest, please do so by sending us a DM with your business name and email address.
"Subject to planning, we're going to have capacity for 280 customers so plenty of footfall to take advantage of! We'll hopefully have some good news on the progress of the application soon. Stay tuned!"
At the time of the sale last summer, Mr McLarnon said that with its prime location, extensive indoor space and generously sized car park, the Flagship Centre was just crying out for regeneration investment.
During the 1990s, the Flagship was the main shopping destination in the seaside town.
Spread over two floors, the centre was anchored by Dunnes Stores and was also home to Argos, Iceland, Co-op, Stewart Miller, PoundWorld, Peacocks and a thriving food court including Burger King and Subway.
But weeks before its closure in January 2019, it was mainly home to a community hub, charity shop and discount sportswear store.
Read more: Revamp of iconic shopping centre puts firm focus on local shops and traders
Read more: Flagship Centre car park stalled after proposal 'turned down'
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