Retail Development Gets Green Light

Date Published: 28-Aug-2008

THE green light has been given for a major retail development in Tuam — but it remains unclear if Dunnes Stores still has an interest in becoming its anchor tenant.

The supermarket giant is reconsidering the establishment of stores in a number of locations in the country in the wake of consumer spending reductions.

There are now fears that the interest previously expressed in locating in Tuam may have waned in the current economic climate.

However, it is known that Tesco are still interested in having a Tuam location and many express an interest in being the anchor tenant at the new Galway Road development.

Royal Rock and its managing director John Mannion were granted planning permission for the development of an anchor supermarket.

The development also involves the construction of four other substantial retail units — it is understood that retail chains like Boots, Heaton’s and Woodies are being enticed to locate stores in the new development.

But the first phase will involve the construction of the an chor supermarket measuring 5,000 square metres in size and work on this is expected to begin before the end of the year.

It means that Tuam will have the facility to attract one of the main retail chains and it could lead to another application for another retail development being…