A major extension scheme at a North Down shopping centre will welcome its first new tenant by Christmas, it has been announced.

The £5m redevelopment at Bloomfield Retail Park will house Laura Ashley’s third Northern Ireland store.

Selling fashion and home-ware products, the 10,000 sq ft unit is expected to open its doors during the lead up to the festive season.

Sports retailer JJB will open next door, in the New Year, offering a fitness suite with gym, hot spas and a swimming pool.

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Over 100 jobs will be created as part of the overall development, which is owned by Donegal Place Investments.

"The investment into the new units and the winning of new tenants shows how strong a retail destination Bloomfield Centre is," said Ryan McKenna from joint letting agent McKibbin Commercial.

It is expected the JJB fitness club will prove "very popular", however the scale of the fit out means it will be not be opened before Christmas, according to Mr McKenna.

"With further plans to extend, we intend to maintain Bloomfield Centre’s role as one of the top retail destinations in Northern Ireland," added Mr McKenna.

MSM Contracts took eight months to build the two high spec units, totalling 32,000 sq ft.

The new tenants will join the existing line-up of Mothercare, Smyths Toys, Laser, Reid Furniture and Harry Corry in the retail park.

(PR)