Department store assesses options
A legal challenge to the decision to grant planning permission for a store in County Antrim, Northern Ireland was today upheld in the High Court.

The move to quash Lord Rooker's decision to grant planning permission for the£40 million redevelopment of Sprucefield retail park followed complaints from traders in Belfast, Lisburn and Craigavon.

John Lewis said it is considering today's judgement and will now liaise with developer Westfield to reassess its options. Director of retail operations Gareth Thomas said: 'We remain confident in our position that Sprucefield is the only suitable location in Northern Ireland capable of meeting our needs to deliver a full line department store which is sustainable in the long term.'

The decision could mean John Lewis abandons Northern Ireland completely in favour of a location in the south.

Belfast City Council and the Chamber of Trade and Commerce combined to mount the joint challenge to the planning approval, arguing that out of town developments were detrimental to town centres.