BELFAST city planners have approved plans to redevelop the landmark former home of British Home Stores (BHS), paving the way for major new tenants to move in.
Last week plans were approved for the refurbishment and reconfiguration of the iconic building, which housed BHS for over 50 years.
The work, involve the subdivision of the site into standalone units at Castle Place and Castle Lane, the former 21,679 sq ft in size and the latter, a larger 71,126 sq ft unit.
The plans also include the installation of new external fabric, new entrances, shop fronts, service access and services connections.
With the proposals now given the green light a major retailer could now move into the city centre building once works are complete.
Just last month the Irish News revealed that pharmacy chain Boots could become the first tenant at the former BHS site, with reports the retailer could relocate from its current city centre premises at Donegall Place.
At the time Boots did not dismiss speculation of a possible move, with a spokesperson stating at the time there was nothing to share about Belfast from the company’s development programme or from its estates team
A spokesperson from M&G Real Estate, the owners of the building said they were “unable to comment on speculation”.
After 50 years as a firm fixture at the heart of the city centre, BHS closed its doors on August 28, 2016 at a cost of 57 jobs and the prominent city centre site has remained vacant since.
Meanwhile plans have emerged for possible residential development at the former site of Mount Gilbert Community College in the Shankill area of west Belfast. The school created in 1993 as an amalgamation of Forth River and Cairnmartin secondary schools, closed its doors in 2007 and the land has been vacant for over a decade.
The Education Authority is now seeking outline planning permission for the redevelopment of the brownfield
site to "facilitate residential development and all associated site works". The application, which is to debated by councillors at today's planning committee has been recommended for approval.
