UK HOUSEHOLD goods chain John Lewis said it will consider building a giant outlet south of the Border if its application for a major development just outside Lisburn, near Belfast, is rejected.
Traders in central Belfast, Lisburn, Banbridge and Craigavon have expressed concern about a revised application for a John Lewis store at Sprucefield.
John Lewis yesterday submitted a modified application after it failed in its initial attempt to establish its first operation on the island of Ireland.
The latest proposal is for a 240,000sq ft store and 19 other retail units at Sprucefield. The size of the John Lewis stores is virtually the same as the first application, but the number of units is reduced by 10.
John Lewis also has long-term plans to move south. Its first preference, however, is to open a multi-million-pound complex at Sprucefield employing up to 2,000 people and then consider moving to the Republic.
The company said that if planning permission was refused it would turn its sights on the South, and abandon all plans to open a store in Northern Ireland.
"If we can't open at Sprucefield, we will not be opening in Northern Ireland. Belfast is not an option so it's Sprucefield or not at all," said John Lewis director Gareth Thomas yesterday in Lisburn.
Belfast city centre manager Andrew Irvine said it was vital that any out-of-town development should complement the existing shops in town and city centres.
