£8m Home Bargains Store Approved for Antrim, Creating 95 Jobs

An £8 million Home Bargains store has received planning approval in Antrim. The development is expected to create 95 direct retail jobs, support another 59 indirect jobs and regenerate the former Townparks Car Sales site.

An £8 million Home Bargains store in Antrim has been given the green light by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, paving the way for significant investment and new employment opportunities in the town.

The council’s Planning Committee approved the proposed development at the former Townparks Car Sales site, near the junction of Ballymena Road and Springfarm Industrial Estate.

The new store will cover approximately 2,183 square metres and include 116 parking spaces.

Home Bargains Antrim Development to Create 95 Jobs

The new development is expected to create 95 direct retail jobs, alongside a further 59 indirect retail jobs.

The £8 million investment will also regenerate a vacant commercial site and deliver economic benefits for the wider borough.

According to the council, the development is associated with an estimated £7.8 million in gross value added (GVA).

Once operational, the store is expected to generate approximately £126,000 in annual rates revenue.

Residents can follow Antrim news and community updates on Northern Ireland Online for further developments.

Former Townparks Car Sales Site to Be Transformed

The proposed Home Bargains store will occupy the former Townparks Car Sales site near Springfarm Industrial Estate.

Plans include:

• A new 2,183-square-metre retail store.
• 116 customer parking spaces.
• Associated landscaping and access improvements.
• Regeneration of the vacant commercial site.
• New employment opportunities for Antrim residents.

Planning permission was granted unanimously by the council’s Planning Committee.

According to Antrim Now’s reporting on the planning decision, councillors considered the economic benefits alongside concerns about traffic, road safety and the possible impact on existing retailers.

Mayor Welcomes £8m Home Bargains Investment

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Henry Cushinan, welcomed the development.

He said:

“This £8 million investment is welcome news for Antrim, bringing the prospect of new jobs and increased economic activity to the town. It is particularly encouraging to see a vacant site being brought back into use, with the potential to create lasting opportunities for local people and support Antrim’s continued growth.”

Chair of the Planning Committee, Alderman Lewis Boyle, also welcomed the decision.

He said:

“The regeneration of existing sites and the effective use of land are integral to the future development of our towns. This approval will enable a significant retail investment in Antrim to move forward, with anticipated benefits for local employment, the town’s economy and the wider Borough.”

When Will the New Home Bargains Store in Antrim Open?

Although planning approval has been granted, the store is not yet under construction.

According to the News Letter’s report on the development, the developer indicated the following provisional timetable:

• Before Christmas 2026: Demolition work expected to begin.
• Early 2027: Construction targeted to start.
• Before Christmas 2027: Target opening for the new Home Bargains store.

These dates remain provisional and may change as the development progresses.

The construction phase is also expected to support additional employment, with planning reports referring to 65 direct construction jobs and 35 indirect construction jobs.

What Will the New Store Mean for Antrim?

The investment could provide several benefits for Antrim, including employment, improved use of vacant commercial land and additional retail choice.

However, concerns were raised during the planning process about road safety, traffic and potential competition with existing shops.

Council planning officers concluded that the development was not expected to cause significant harm to designated retail centres.

For more information about local shops, services and community developments, visit the Antrim town page.

Residents looking for employment opportunities can also browse jobs across Northern Ireland through Northern Ireland Online’s local information network.

Follow the Latest Antrim News

The approved £8 million Home Bargains development represents a major investment in Antrim, with the potential to bring new jobs and additional shopping facilities to the town.

Northern Ireland Online will continue to follow the development as construction and opening plans progress.

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