Future plans have been unveiled for two shopping centres owned by former-Curley's supermarket proprietor Hugh Kennedy.

Two Kennedy family-run supermarkets, in west Belfast and Dungannon, were sold off to Sainsbury's in January

Eleven off-licenses remain in the possession of the family. Two of these sites will undergo refurbishment to compliment the re-branded supermarkets.

The redeveloped supermarket, at the Kennedy Centre on the Falls Road, is due for completion in autumn 2009.

The Sainsbury's launch will coincide with the re-vamped shopping centre. The mall is expected to double its floor space to 300,000 square feet,

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When finished in early 2010, the new look centre will reportedly created around 200 new jobs.

The cinema at the centre is also set to expand and undergo refurbishment.

Mr Kennedy said: "It is clear that demand for retailing has long outstripped supply in this part of Belfast and this expansion of the Kennedy Centre will go a long way to redressing that."

Mr Kennedy is currently developing a retail park near the redeveloped Curley's store in Dungannon. The projects is being constructed on the site of the former Tyrone Crystal factory.

Planning approval has been granted for four large bulky goods outlets, which are expected to brining 100 jobs to the area.

"Dungannon is a fast-expanding and prosperous town and we believe this investment will significantly expand and augment the town’s retail offer," Mr Kennedy said.

"Where the site suits and there’s an opportunity to sell groceries we’ll be looking seriously at it," he added.

(PR/JM)