Primark to open new Belfast store after plan approved

Primark has announced it is planning to open a city centre store later this year.

The retailer has said plans are in place to open in Commonwealth House on Castle Street in December.

It comes after the company was granted permission to commence work on the badly damaged Bank Buildings in Belfast.

The historic building was devastated by a major fire in August which took several days to extinguish.

The historic Bank Buildings were devastated by a major fire earlier this year. Credit: UTV

Belfast City Council's Planning Committee approved Primark's listed building consent application for Bank Buildings on Friday 26 October.

In a statement, Primark welcomed the approval and said they are "starting immediately" and that they "anticipate that this phase of work will be on-going over a number of months."

The work is expected to make it possible for an extensive safety cordon around the building in the heart of Belfast to be reduced.

The company continued, "We recognise how important it is to reduce the protective cordon. We have agreed a walkway solution with the council to open up Royal Avenue. Work has started and it should be in place in a matter of weeks.

"We are planning to open in Commonwealth House, Castle Street in December. We believe that opening up a Primark store in the city centre at this time will help to restore footfall into the area.”

The council has said that work will see "the top two floors of Bank Buildings, which appear to be the most unstable parts of the building," taken down.

A spokesperson continued, "Once these unstable elements are removed, works can take place to install a facade retention scheme.

"It will also make it possible to reduce the cordon and restore pedestrian access between Royal Avenue and Donegall Place, subject to health and safety considerations, as work takes place."

They concluded, "We have also agreed a process with Primark which includes a temporary designed walkway, which we hope to be in place within weeks."

Aodhán Connolly has said Primark's plans will be a Credit: UTV

The news has been welcomed by the director of the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium, who said it was terrific "for the retail hub of Belfast city centre."

In a statment, Aodhán Connolly has said, "This will be a life line for those traders in the cordon and those without who have seen their footfall drop by over 50%.

"We also welcome the news that Primark will open again soon as it will serve as a footfall draw to this part of the city which has been devastated."

The cordon has left 14 businesses unable to trade.

Earlier this month, it emerged the fire caused a 30% drop in footfall in the city centre.

A council report has found a reduction of almost 50% in some areas close to Bank Buildings.

Earlier in October, the council announced a programme of events including a ski slope, ferris wheel and mini festival aimed at attracting more people into the city centre.

It is also seeking an urgent meeting with the Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley and the head of Civil Service David Sterling to discuss financial support for the package as well as the long-term recovery of the city centre.