Retail Property - Dunnes Stores signed to anchor Dundalk's latest retail complex

Construction work is due to start within the next six months on Dundalk's latest shopping centre, at Ramparts Road, close to the town centre.

Dunnes Stores has already signed up to take the 75,300 sq ft (6,995 sq m) anchor store, with BTW Shiells as letting agent.

Dundalk, in Eire near the border with Northern Ireland, has a population of 30,000. The town's new shopping centre is a joint venture between the Belfast-based Lagan Group and fruit importer Fyffes, which is headquartered in Dundalk.

Dundalk town council has voted in favour of planning permission for the centre, even though it is in contravention of existing zoning.

Work on the complex is set to be completed in time for Christmas 2005.

The 25-acre greenfield site will have a total of 285,000 sq ft (26,475 sq m) of retail space, with 42 shop units, a restaurant and a petrol station. A total of 1,350 car parking spaces will also be provided at the site.

The Dundalk centre will compete with the Quays shopping and leisure complex in Newry, 12 miles away across the border, which is poised to open in a year with a Debenhams anchor.

The complex will also face competition from two other local developments - the Dundalk shopping centre and the Long Walk centre - as well as the recently-opened 215,285 sq ft (20,000 sq m) Dundalk Retail Park.