The owners of Hillview Retail Park in North Belfast are aiming to give the scheme a new lease of life following the announcement that Asda will be its new anchor tenant.

Killultagh Properties and Snoddons, joint venture owners of the Crumlin Road site, first developed the scheme in 2004 and are now keen to secure tenants for five additional 8,500 sq ft units.

Asda confirmed last month that it plans to convert the old Dunnes store into a new 48,000 sq ft Asda superstore. It is expected that the store will open in Spring 2010, subject to planning permission for minor alterations and licenses, and create up to 230 new full and part time jobs for local people.

Richard Steenson, Development Director for Killultagh Properties said:

“It is anticipated that Asda will attract a weekly footfall of at least 60,000 people to the retail park which is an outstanding retail opportunity for prospective new tenants. We are confident that this environment could attract the likes of Lidl, Argos, Poundland, Home Bargains, Poundstretcher and other value retailers, to create a new tenant mix which will give a major boost to the local economy and greatly increase shopping choice in the area.”

The Crumlin Road area is currently a major focal point for a number of public and private regeneration initiatives, including plans to create landmark tourist destinations at the former Crumlin Road Courthouse and Gaol, in addition to the re-development of the Mater Hospital site.

Sam Harris, Director of Snoddons, added:

“Hillview Retail Park offers potential new tenants a fantastic location on one of Belfast’s main arterial routes with 500 car parking spaces provided on site. We are delighted to have secured Asda as the scheme’s new anchor tenant and are confident that this is the first step in realising the site’s full potential as a retail hub for North Belfast, in addition to playing a key role in the ongoing regeneration and growth of economic activity in the area.”

Colliers CRE are the letting agents for the scheme.