AN Enniskillen town centre retailer is the first to have successfully applied for planning permission to relocate to a new retail park on the Cornagrade Road.

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council’s Planning Committee have approved an application for a town centre trader Harry Corry to transfer their business from Erneside Shopping Centre to the larger premises at Lakelands Retail Park.

Situated at the former Unipork site, Lakelands Retail Park was approved for mixed retail and leisure use in April 2022.

Permission to extend Unit 6 and split it into two making an additional Unit 7, was granted in January this year.

An application was then made to allow Unit 6 to be used as a bulky goods retailer and Harry Corry sought to close their current shop and relocate to the new unit.

Planning Officer Darren Lawther noted current conditions state while this can be done, the old shop must be kept open for five years however: “That’s not being proposed. Instead, it is that Harry Corry simply close the shop up and move to the retail park, to put it bluntly.”

Council officers reviewed the application against the Planning Strategy polices and evidence demonstrates that while this would result in the loss of a town centre business, overall the impact on viability is very small and is therefore acceptable.

Recommending approval Mr. Lawther added: “Although alternatives exist, these are unlikely to come forward and the benefits would be lost.”

Town Planning Consultant Eamonn Loughrey told the committee: “Many of you will have seen the progress of the development of Lakelands Retain Park by bringing new retailers to Enniskillen, who are a blend of some of the largest in the UK and Ireland.”

“‘The Range’ is scheduled to open later this year and about 80 per cent of units are being taken up by new retailers coming to Enniskillen – equating to over 118,000 square feet in gross retail floor terms.”

Only two units left on the site, one of which is sought by Harry Corry, who are holding over on their lease in Erneside and are capable of leaving it at any time.

Mr. Loughrey said their current unit is 2,500 square feet which is too small and: “Out of step for the company portfolio and their customer expectations. They require a modern unit in a retail warehouse as a sub-regional hub in Fermanagh, catering for cross-border trade. Following an extensive search of Enniskillen, Harry Corry have identified Unit 6 as the only suitable site to accommodate their needs. It has 7,500 square feet and as such will allow Harry Corry to increase their product range by 200 per cent and increase employees from 10 to 14.”

He added Harry Corry have been trading in Enniskillen for 35 years and in order to continue successfully they need suitable new premises to secure the continued long-term future of the business.

It was stressed a re-worded condition had been agreed whereby permission is limited only to Harry Corry and in the event they did not occupy Unit 6, it could only go to another existing town centre bulky goods trader, thus protecting the town centre.

“The impact of Harry Corry leaving the town centre is minuscule and inconsequential,” concluded Mr. Loughrey.

Committee Chair Councillor Tommy Maguire opened the application to members who had no questions or concerns.

Councillor Thomas O’Reilly, Sinn Féin said: “I’m happy to propose the recommendation to approve planning permission.”

This was seconded by party colleague Councillor Glenn Campbell and unanimously agreed by the committee.