NEGOTIATIONS around a new bowling alley and cinema in Enniskillen are still ongoing, despite recent plans suggesting these future leisure facilities may be replaced by a supermarket.

Speculation has been growing about the future of these much-anticipated amenities at the Lakeland Retail and Leisure Park, following a proposal to build a Lidl store on the site originally intended for the cinema and bowling alley.

The plan, which is part of a public consultation, has been proposed despite Brunswick Moviebowl being listed as a confirmed tenant at the former Unipork site since 2021.

No indications around a proposed relocation of the bowling alley and cinema given in the consultation document.

The Impartial Reporter asked Patrick Simpson, director of Brunswick Moviebowl, if he still planned to open a location in Enniskillen following the changes to the plans.

In a response, he said: “We are still negotiating with the developer on the property, and nothing has been agreed as of yet.”

Mr. Simpson was also asked whether Brunswick is still a “confirmed tenant” of the retail park. At the time of going to press, a response had not been received.

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, which is responsible for the planning application, was asked if planning permission is still being sought for the bowling alley and cinema at the park, despite the current consultation.

A spokeswoman confirmed that the original planning, which was approved in April 2022, remains valid as a “mixed-use retail and leisure development.”

“While the Council has received a number of applications seeking to amend the proposal and the planning conditions related to this approval, planning permission remains in place for a mixed-use retail and leisure development, which includes shops, a proposed hotel, cinema, bowling alley, coffee pod, and drive-thru restaurant,” the spokeswoman said.

Requests for clarity were also sent to Lidl; Roxborough Plant and Construction Ltd., and TDK Property.

A spokesperson from Lidl said: “We have no update to share on this at present.”

Yesterday (Wednesday), a consultation event was held at the Killyhevlin Hotel regarding the proposed Lidl store at the new retail development.

The consultation document proposes a large portion of the retail park is dedicated to  a new Lidl, which will including a new retail unit with staff facilities and storage, as well as associated parking.

When compared to the plans from November 2022, the proposed Lidl store is situated in the location initially earmarked for the bowling alley and cinema. No details regarding the relocation of these leisure facilities are mentioned in the consultation document. However, a nearby Costa drive-thru is not impacted by the proposal.

Construction at the retail park has been progressing throughout the year, with confirmed retailers including Home Bargains, The Range, and EZ Living Interiors.