Traders issue let's talk invite to developers

BANBRIDGE Chamber of Commerce and Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association (NIIRTA) have said they fully support an 80,000 square foot Tesco store - just not at Bridgewater Park.

A joint statement was released this week to reiterate their position in the long-running superstore dispute.

The best solution to the current stand-off is the expansion of the Castwellan Road Tesco store, the group said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Rosin McAleenan President of Banbridge Chamber of Commerce said, "We are very proud of Banbridge as possibly 'the best town in Northern Ireland', with a very wide range of local and national retailers working together to produce an excellent shopping experience.

"We merely seek to protect our town from the retail devastation and job losses that seems to accompany "out of town shopping".

"Local examples of this can be seen a matter of a few miles away in Lurgan and Portadown which are under tremendous pressure from the development at Rushmere.

The group have extended an open-ended invitation to any of the interested parties including local councillors, the Bridgewater developers and Tesco to meet and discuss the future of Banbridge as a town.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"The facts are simple. Banbridge Chamber of Commerce and NIIRTA supports Tesco expanding at their current Castlewellan Road site to 80,000 sq ft rather that the same size of store being located two miles out of town," added Ms McAleenan.

"Surely this is a fair and reasonable compromise which will be a win win for Banbridge and not result in a net loss of jobs in our town centre"

"Our members are committed to protecting our town centre and we welcome the fact the existing Tesco site makes a considerable contribution to the retail offer of our town. We also want to see the Outlet go from strength to strength and be a continued success story"

Glyn Roberts, NIIRTA Chief Executive, said, "At the end of the day it is only a question as to where the proposed Tesco store is located and we want to explore the possibility of a deal which all sides can support."

"Let's try and resolve this situation for the good of all the people of Banbridge"