Retailing group Hampden will begin a major expansion of its Homebase DIY retailing operations in Belfast, with the lease of a 100,000 sq ft store and a 25,000 sq ft garden centre near the Abbeycentre shopping complex at Newtownabbey. Hampden will spend £2.6 million sterling (€3.9 million) on developing the store once planning permission has been obtained.

As part of the plans for the Newtownabbey store, Hampden will surrender its lease on an existing store in the area to supermarket group Sainsbury for a consideration of £1.5 million sterling. Sainsbury has a 29.2 per cent stake in Hampden.