Factory outlet to create 1,000 jobs in Antrim area

Junction One, Northern Ireland's largest factory outlet, retail and leisure destination, is set to create up to 1,000 jobs for the Antrim area when it opens for business late next year.

The £50m investment is a joint venture between Coleraine based property developer The Kennedy Group and The Guinea Group, a successful factory outlet developer and operator in Great Britain.

Commenting on his Group's first venture into the Northern Ireland market, Guinea Group Managing Director John Drummond believes its prime location in Antrim, close to the M2 motorway, will be a major advantage.

He said: "Junction One will give shoppers in Northern Ireland an alternative retail and leisure experience. We will bring exciting brands and designer labels that are not yet available in Northern Ireland in addition to 60% off high street prices.

"With over 50 factory outlet stores, cafes, themed restaurants, retail warehousing, leisure centre, multiplex cinema and a supermarket Junction One will become Northern Ireland's premier retail and leisure destination."

Alistair Kennedy, Commercial Director of the Kennedy Group, added: "Many quality retailers have waited a long time to promote their brand strengths here in Northern Ireland and it is clear from the interest so far that they view Junction One as a major opportunity to create awareness locally. Its excellent location will also provide a gateway for tourists to explore Antrim and the surrounding thereby stimulating further investment opportunities."

Building work at an edge of town site adjacent to the Ballymena Road in Antrim, is currently underway and over 60% of the 145,000 sq ft factory outlet retail space has already been secured.

Local company O'Connor Kennedy Turtle is marketing the factory outlet alongside London agency, Rohleder Lumby whilst Lambert Smith Hampton and O'Connor Kennedy Turtle are jointly responsible for letting the retail warehousing and catering.

Factory Outlet Centres have been operating in the United Kingdom for over 10 years.

They generally offer visitors discounts on the recommended retail price on end of line products and stock from previous seasons as opposed to inferior items or slight seconds.

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