Plans for a street food market are on the cards for the revamp of a Co Down shopping centre.
The Flagship in Bangor, 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.
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On Thursday, the company shared the news on the Flagship Facebook page 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.
In a statement on their Facebook page on Thursday, the new owners of the Flagship said: "We've got some exciting news...we've just submitted our planning application for the brand new Flagship Food Market.
"Bringing lots of different hot food kitchen options under one roof, this will hopefully be a great foodie destination for the people of Northern Ireland. The food market will provide a space for you to meet up with friends and family and choose from a range of delicious street food options.
"We'll have 8 food kitchens to choose from, if you have a food business and you'd like more info on the food market, send us a DM!
"As soon as we get approval, we can announce more information. We hope you're as excited as we are about this next phase. Our mouths are watering already!"
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.
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