Planning permission has been granted for a new Dobbies Garden Centre in County Antrim which will create 110 new jobs.
Described as one of the biggest retail lettings in the UK and Ireland in recent years, the 110,000 square foot store is the company’s second in Northern Ireland and will be one of the largest in its portfolio.
Due to open in spring 2023, the store will be based at The Junction, an outlet on the outlet of Antrim town owned by Lotus Property, and is expected to attract annual footfall of around one million people.
Graeme Jenkins, CEO at Dobbies, welcome the planning permission.
“We’re delighted to have been given the green light to move ahead with our plans to open our store at The Junction, building on the success of our established Lisburn garden centre,” he said. “Its prime position off the M2, just north of Belfast City Centre and towards the popular Antrim coast, will allow us to bring the Dobbies’ experience to a new area within Northern Ireland.”
The new store will include outdoor and indoor plant areas; areas for gardening products, outdoor furniture, pets, gifting and toys, as well as cookshop and home décor; a food hall, a children’s soft play area and new restaurant and café.
Dobbies was founded in 1865 as Dobbie & Co and has grown and expanded in recent years to become the UK’s leading garden centre retailer. There are currently 74 Dobbies stores throughout the UK, but this will be just the second in Northern Ireland.
Alastair Coulson, Managing Director at Lotus Property, said the investment by Dobbies is an indication of the appetite for retail in Northern Ireland.
“Not only is it fantastic news for The Junction and the local economy but also a signal that Northern Ireland is open for business. It is fast becoming one of the UK’s most promising retail environments, especially with regards edge of town shopping and leisure.”
