Potential jobs boost as major retail plans are unveiled

Hundreds of jobs could be created in two major retail developments proposed for Athlone, the Westmeath Independent can reveal. This week, Tiane Ltd, a locally-controlled company believed to be part of the Diskin group of companies, has indicated its intention to seek planning permission for a massive mixed-use development at the junction of the Golden Island Road and the Carrickobrien Road. With a gross floor space area of 18,689 square metres, the development would be somewhat larger than the overall Golden Island Shopping Centre (circa 16,000 square metres) and contains a massive 6,000 square-metre anchor store. Meanwhile, Gallico Developments, the company behind Athlone Towncentre, has lodged a planning application with Athlone Town Council for a circa 2,800 square-metre supermarket at the former McFarland's furniture store on Gleeson Street. The two projects, if they were to come to pass, could create several hundred jobs for the region. At the heart of the Golden Island development is a massive retail anchor store, proposed at the maximum floor space permitted in retail planning guidelines. The 6,000 square-metre unit spans 3,000 square metres of floor space for everyday items, such as food, and 3,000 square metres of floor space for items bought on a less frequent basis. It's likely to be aimed at either a UK-based company seeking to enter the midlands or an existing business wishing to expand its floor space. The proposed development comprises the demolition of the existing warehouse units located to the north of the site, the original buildings in the development, and the construction of the mixed use development with a gross floor area of 18,689 square metres. The new commercial building to the east of the site, opposite Aldi, is be retained. The proposed mixed use development is arranged in four blocks which range in height from two to four storeys reaching a peak building height of 21.6 metres. Also planned are another 1,570 square metres of retail space spanning at least ten units, a gymnasium split over three levels, a medical centre, over 3,850 square metres of office space and a number of cafes. Access to the site will be provided via the Carrickobrien Road and Golden Island Road. The proposed development will be served by 408 car parking spaces and 280 bicycle parking spaces. The proposed development also includes realignment and widening of the River Al and the extended culverting of a channel. The Gallico development on Gleeson Street will see the old cinema be replaced with a 30,000 square-foot convenience store over one and a half floors and the developers are hoping to attract a well known grocery chain, such as Superquinn or SuperValu. The supermarket will include retail space, a cafe, offices, staff areas and storage areas. It will also have an underground link to Athlone Towncentre where deliveries for the supermarket will be made, which Gallico say will mean there will be no traffic disturbance in the area. A decision on the planning application for Gallico's development is due from Athlone Town Council on February 2.