M&S one of three outlets opening up at Craigavon retail park today

A MARKS & Spencer supermarket will be one of three new businesses opening their doors in Craigavon today.

Great British Bake Off finalist Andrew Smyth will be among those present for the 10am opening in the recently completed Marlborough Retail Park, with sportswear retailer O’Neills and Air-tastic, an indoor trampolining venture, also opening at the site this morning.

The former 80,000 sq ft B&Q outlet, located between Tesco and Rushmere Shopping Centre, has been transformed in a £7m project by Turkington Developments.

A further phase of development is currently in progress which will see the retail park add Starbucks and Burger King to the list of well-known brands and retailers.

Planning permission has also been secured at the site for Captain Green’s Adventure Golf.

Simon Layton, M&S head of region for Northern Ireland, said: “We are delighted to be opening a brand-new M&S food hall in Craigavon, creating 56 jobs for the local community.

“Store manager John Woods and his team look forward to bringing the very best of M&S Food to the local community in the area.”

Stephen Thompson, O’Neills sports area manager, added: “O’Neills’ product is well established in the Craigavon area, however this new store and fitout is set to take the brand to another level. Celebrating 100 years in business, we are excited to welcome visitors to see for themselves how far the brand has evolved.”

Sharyn Ingrey, area manager for Air-tastic Trampoline Park, said: “We are very excited to be bringing Air-tastic to Craigavon and we can’t wait to open. Our state-of-the-art trampoline park is a destination for the en- tire family, whether you’re six months or 60 years of age.”

Commercial property agencies CBRE and Cushman Wakefield are acting on behalf of the landlord on the leasing of the scheme.

Alana Coyle, director at CBRE, said: “We are confident that these leading retailers and leisure providers will act as a major catalyst in attracting continued future investment and generating further development at Marlborough Retail Park and the greater Craigavon area.”

Michael Pierce of Cushman Wakefield added: “The addition of these leisure and food and beverage offers at the scheme will add another dimension to the retail park and give customers in the Craigavon area a greater choice and range of activities closer to home, without the need to travel to larger centres.”

Shane Murphy, property development manager at Turkington Developments, said: “We are pleased to bring this former B&Q unit back into use as a strategic town centre site, having worked with the council and local stakeholders through the planning process to deliver another substantial investment in the area.

“Phase one works are now complete with two new ‘drive thru’ restaurants expected to be ready for Christmas.”