A Dungannon-based clothing retailer has “banked” on a vacant neighbouring premises to be assessed suitable for exciting expansion plans.
The town’s renowned Tom Morrow fashion stores – also behind ‘Red’ – has lodged plans with Mid Ulster Council that could see the ground floor of the adjacent former bank building on Scotch Street treated as a extension to their existing stores.
The building at 21 Scotch Street formerly operated as a Bank of Ireland branch until its regrettable closure in 2021.
Under the proposals, Tom Morrow are seeking a change of use from a former bank to retail unit for part of the ground floor with alterations to the window cill heights and turning an existing covered alleyway into retail floorspace.
The striking three-storey traditional bank building boasts a decorative cut-stone and red brick front façade and is a prominent feature among the town’s highstreet.
As such, plans state an intention to “respect” the historical and architectural importance of the property and make only minor alterations to the front in-keeping with the current character of the property.
Internally, the existing bank vault would be retained and incorporated into the proposed retail space.
If approved, supporting documentation adds that two jobs would be generated by the expansion and the company would expect an “increase in customer numbers”.
‘Red’ would act as a thoroughfare between the new extension and the existing Tom Morrow stores with a series of steps and a chair lift connecting the premises.
The application will be advertised locally shortly.
