An application to convert a large part of Portadown’s High Street Mall from shops into offices has been approved by council.
The application – which was submitted in May by Armagh-based Formation Works – requested permission to make major changes to over 18,000 sq ft of the premises which could also see sitting shop tenants relocated.
Businesses located within the application site include The Works, Superdrug, Holland & Barrett and Mackeys Opticians.
The applicants recently bought the High Street Mall, providing a combined investment of £4.6m into Portadown and since acquiring the premises have undertaken partial demolition and made several big changes to the physical layout in the last few years including the introduction of a ‘plaza-style’ complex housing big retailers Lidl, Nero and B&M Bargains.
The changes will affect Units 12-17 and 22-28 within the High Street Mall, and include “internal reconfiguration” and “minor external alterations”.
With the changes to working arrangements since the Covid-19 Pandemic, the rationale for introducing additional office accommodation was outlined in papers prepared for the applicant by TSA Planning, which state: “Formation Works were established in 2021, in a direct response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Post Covid office accommodation quality, standard and flexibility has considerably changed compared to that pre-Covid. With an increased demand and shift towards work from home, there is a general movement towards companies requiring smaller office spaces as less employees are in the office at any one given time.
Related: Plans to convert large part of ‘struggling’ High Street Mall in Portadown from shops into offices
“As such, the demand for flexible work environments or ‘hot desks’ have become an increasingly attractive option for companies looking to adapt to a more flexible work environment. Formation Works are a company aiming to fill this gap in the market, to meet the demands of companies who seek flexible work environments.
“Formation Works currently provide flexible, creative office solutions with high-end fit outs and attractive spaces. This allows for multiple companies to exist under one-roof, giving them the ability to provide more, or less, spaces and desks, as and when required. This office format allows for flexible work environments for companies, ensuring town centre office spaces are still relevant, whilst also balancing the demand for work from home.
“As the workspace culture continues to change throughout NI, Formation Works are continuing to expand this format of flexible office accommodation.”
The planning body further reveals: “The proposal converts roughly 15% of the existing retail space within High Street Mall to office use, with a remaining 85% of space still functioning as existing.”
In real terms, that would see the creation of over 18,000 sq ft of new office accommodation.
In backing up the proposals, TSA Planning points out that, as of October 31, last year, ABC Council reported that the vacancy rate for Portadown stood at 20.9% of total properties within the town centre boundary. That’s 144 of the available 688 ‘non-domestic properties’.
For context, this was ranked second for highest vacancy percentage in the Council area, only behind Dromore, at 25.2%.
At the time of the submission of the application, the High Street Mall had a 42% vacancy rate.
The application received a total of two objections citing a “large amount of available office space within a very short distance of High Street Mall” as one primary concern and the “reduction in retail space” and the subsequent loss of business and jobs as a second.
However, the submission to council states: “It is clear that there is a need for additional investment and development within Portadown town centre to help lower vacancy rates.”
The recent ‘plaza’ style redevelopment had “secured a key part of regeneration of the Mall already which has seen a positive outcome for the shopping centre”.
And, TSA Planning insists: “Converting underutilised retail units into office space will ensure active use of the premises, reducing the risk of long term vacancy and the associated negative impact on the surrounding environment. Offices generate consistent footfall and create demand for nearby services such as retail and hospitality, contributing to the overall sustainability of Portadown Town Centre.
“We consider this proposal to help secure the financial future of the shopping centre, whilst also helping form this next phase of refurbishment and regeneration for the Mall.”
It is anticipated that work will begin in due course.
