Businesses to reopen after flood damage

Businesses to reopen after flood damage

14 August 2024

ANOTHER Downpatrick town centre business which was destroyed in last November’s devastating town centre flood has confirmed its reopening date.

B&M Bargains will reopen on Saturday, September 14, with the move coming after the recent reopening of the Poundland and Savers stores at the Grove shopping centre complex.

Refurbishment work has started at Downpatrick Credit Union’s building and officials hope they will reopen in Market Street in early October.

Credit Union services are currently being delivered from the Down Business Park at the Belfast Road on the outskirts of the town.

Work is also continuing at Petals and Pots base in Market Street to pave the way for its return to the town centre.

Meanwhile in Irish Street, specialist contractors are currently removing a building which had sparked a number of structural concerns.

The entire building, which enjoys protected status, is painstakingly being demolished before the site is rebuilt.

Former Downpatrick councillor, Dermot Curran, has welcomed confirmation that a planning application paving the way for a new building has been submitted to local planners.

He is a member of the town’s Regeneration Working Group which is heavily involved in the regeneration of the former police station site in Irish Street and a number of empty, adjacent buildings, alongside the Department for Communities and Newry, Mourne and Down Council.

The proposed development site stretches as far back as St Patrick’s Avenue and also includes the Irish Street car park.

Mr Curran said the former police base enjoys protected status and will remain a key feature of the proposed redevelopment project which in addition to new retail and commercial space, could also include an element of housing provision.

Preserve

The heritage value of the Irish Street area is something those associated with the project are not only keen to preserve, but build upon as they work with the government department to maximise the potential of the development site.

Ambitious plans for a new retail and commercial centre at the Irish Street site were initially unveiled in December 2017 with those driving the proposal confident it can act as a catalyst for additional town centre investment,

Several months ago, the Recorder revealed that leading High Street retailers were lining up to invest in Downpatrick.

Brands including M&S and Home Bargains — who have a long standing interest in the town — remain keen to invest, while a number of existing High Street names are eager to expand their current premises or potentially relocate.

But the interest is not just focused on the former police base site.

Previously, a former social services building in Market Street, the adjoining bus station and library were earmarked as a prime development opportunity and if the current level of interest is followed through, Downpatrick town centre could be transformed.

The former Northern Bank building is also viewed as a prime retail development opportunity, with 

a leading Irish sportswear firm looking for premises in the town.

In addition, there is potential interest from a global fast food chain and a pet store which currently has outlets in Belfast, Newry and Lisburn.

Mr Curran said new town centre investment will help create jobs, increase footfall and provide a boost for traders.

“I am delighted that businesses impacted by last November’s catastrophic flooding are returning to Market Street which will increase footfall and help rejuvenate this part of the town centre,” he said.

“Asda is also planning to build a new store and while it will take a while to secure planning approval, demolish the existing store and three adjacent units, the retailer has reaffirmed its commitment to Downpatrick.”