Plans filed to convert Boucher retail unit into cafe

THE former home of the now defunct Poundworld on Boucher Crescent is to be transformed into a cafe, it is understood.

A planning application has been submitted to Belfast City Council by Gravis Planning , a town planning consultancy with offices in Holywood, Co Down, which states that Ballymena-based Corbo Limited has intentions to convert 2A Boucher Crescent in the Boucher Retail Park into a cafe facility.

Corbo Limited, which lists its main interests in its most recent financial results as property investment, with a particular focus on retail outlets, said in its proposals that it will employ five staff members to work in the 153 sq m unit.

Poundworld announced the closure of 190 stores with the loss of 2,339 jobs in July last year.

The discount goods retailer, founded in 1974, went into administration in early June 2018 after struggling with tough competition on the high street from rivals including Poundland and Poundstretcher.

If the plans for the cafe are approved, it will become the latest eatery for the shopping district, joining the likes of Eddie Rocket’s and KFC.

It is the latest boost for the area, coming just one week after it emerged that Northern Ireland’s largest car retailer Charles Hurst Group was planning to open a £300,000, 80-seat cafe and restaurant at its premises on the Boucher Road, with the creation of 30 jobs.

The BOLT eatery has awarded Hospitality Belfast, a joint venture between Mount Charles and Yellow Door, the contract to run the new facility.

With a New York-style theme, complete with high ceilings, steel beams and exposed brickwork, the venue is open to both customers and visitors as well as almost 1,000 Charles Hurst staff on site. The company said it was part of a long-considered idea to create a high-quality hospitality experience.