DIY fans’ favourite Screwfix Ltd are planning yet another store locally as part of a major investment drive in the area, Armagh I can reveal.
And this time the leading retailer has set its sights firmly on Portadown.
It hopes to occupy one of the units at the Meadows Retail Park, adjacent to the site recently approved for a new Tim Horton’s drive-thru.
An application by Screwfix Direct Ltd has been submitted to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council for consideration.
It is seeking approval for a change of use from retail purposes to storage and distribution at unit 3 of the complex.
The new outlet – which is currently described in the submission as a vacant retail unit – would have a trade and counter sales area. Some minor external alterations would also be required.
The Screwfix premises would offer close to 4,400 sq ft of floorspace.
And, as with previous applications, it has been indicated that around 12 new jobs would be created if the proposals are given the go-ahead.
The proposals for the new Portadown store come hot on the heels of recently applications for both Armagh and Dungannon.
Just last month Armagh I revealed plans by the company – based at Yeovil in England – to open a new store at the Spires Retail Park in Armagh.
The retailer has plans with ABC Council in relation to the former Halfords unit, which closed in February at the Moy Road development.
And we also recently revealed proposals to take over the former Funky Monkeys kids’ play zone at the Oaks Centre in Dungannon.
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.
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.
Screwfix already has six stores in Northern Ireland and these latest proposals along would indicate its intentions to grow its local base by at least 50 per cent.
There are stores already in Lurgan, Newry, Omagh and Lisburn, with two in Belfast.
Both the Armagh and Dungannon proposals are currently being considered with this latest application due to be publicly advertised next week.
