HOME and garden retail chain The Range has announced it is set to create 80 jobs at its new store in the Connswater Shopping Centre and Retail Park.
The retailer, which also operates in Ballymena and Derry, is set to open a 65,000 sq foot anchor store at the complex later this year it has been confirmed, representing a £2 million investment from the multi-national and a further £1 million spent by the landlord.
It is hoped that the new store will be the catalyst to increase footfall at the centre to 100,000 per week.
The new store will offer quality products across 16 departments including; DIY, arts and crafts, homewares and furniture. It will also include a large outdoor garden centre and feature a family café.
Owners of Connswater Alfred Street Properties said the new store was a boost not just for the centre, but for the east Belfast area.
“The Range’s arrival is further confirmation that the scheme has turned a corner," he said.
"This is just one of several notable deals which have taken place recently. Starbucks opened its first ever Drive Thru in Northern Ireland earlier this year, Lidl doubled its store format opening in July and Home Bargains is also set to open a 20,000 sq ft superstore in the retail park in December in the previous Harry Corry/Lidl space.”
The Range, founded by Devon businessman Chris Dawson, is currently going through a period of mass expansion and growth, with the UK retailer now operating over 140 stores across the UK and Ireland.
Mr Dawson said he was excited about the firm's expansion in Northern Ireland.
"It will be our third store in Northern Ireland following the successful launch in Ballymena in 2016 and Derry in June this year. The new store in Connswater is a great step in helping the business to progress and grow and we are really excited to continue our Northern Irish expansion in Belfast.”
