DIY favourite Screwfix is coming to Armagh.
Armagh I can reveal that the company – which is based in Yeovil in England – is preparing a move to the Spires Retail Park.
It is intended that it will take over the Halfords’ cycle store.
The Armagh outlet would be the company’s seventh in Northern Ireland and second in County Armagh, with another unit already trading in Lurgan.
The company prides itself in stocking everything needed from house building to interior decorating, gardening, heating and plumbing, tools, and work and safety clothing and equipment, and much more besides, with tens of thousands of items to choose from and the ability to open up business accounts for tradespeople.
And it does so at greatly reduced prices, its UK-wide portfolio of over 700 stores allowing it to trade at vastly discounted rates.
The new unit at the Spires would stretch to in excess of 4,000 sq ft.
And in order to enable the major retailer to move to the city a change of use will be required.
To that end, an application has been submitted to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council for consideration.
It is seeking permission to change from retail purposes to storage and distribution.
The outlet would have a trade counter and sales area and the applicant is also seeking permission to carry out “minor external alterations”.
The former Halfords store in Armagh. Photo: Darrin Antrobus / Geograph
The business operates typically on an Argos-style system of retail where products are contained in a warehouse type development and brought to the counter by staff.
And on the subject of staff, there is good news on that front too.
The submission before ABC Council shows that 12 new jobs would be created when the store is up and running.
Neighbouring stores at the Spires and residents of Abbey Park will be notified of the proposals which are due to be publicly advertised shortly.
News of Screwfix’s plans come just weeks after our sister website Tyrone I exclusively revealed plans for a new store in Dungannon.
An application is currently with Mid-Ulster District Council for consideration for a new outlet at the Oaks Centre, where it would replace the kids soft play area Funky Monkeys.
The arrival of Screwfix in Armagh – which also has two stores in Belfast, as well as others in Omagh, Lisburn and Newry – would be a major boost for the Spires Retail Park, which is located just off the Moy Road.
It has lost a number of key retailers over recent times including Halfords, which shut in February, and Argos, which has since been replaced by Poundland, creating 22 new jobs.
The plans – in the name of Screwfix Direct Ltd – are now with council and a decision would be expected within a number of months.
