€200m shopping centre boost for city

LIMERICK is set to play host to a €200 million shopping centre that will be one of the biggest city-centre complexes in the country.

Plans for the eight-acre retail complex have been lodged with Limerick City Council by a Belfast developer.

When the centre opens in two years' time, pending planning permission, it will employ more than 1,000 staff in a shopping area covering 300,000sq ft.

Belfast company Regeneration Developments Ltd, headed by Indian businessman Suneil Sharma, is behind the project.

Mr Sharma was involved in the development of the massive retail centre recently opened in Childer's Road.

Limerick auctioneers Rooney's has been working with Mr Sharma in acquiring a vast tract of city centre property.

Pat Kearney, who heads Rooney's, said: "We have taken options on properties in Rutland St, Patrick St, Ellen St, Michael St and Bank Place.

"This will be a fantastic boost to the city centre and give Limerick a new shopping focus. The complex will be built on four floors and will feature a glass covered foot bridge connecting Ellen St and Dominic St."

Mr Kearney said he got Mr Sharma interested in Limerick and assembled the property needed for the site of the complex.

He said: "I have spent the last three years putting this together and in that time I have dealt with more than 35 property owners, landlords and tenants."

Brian Lambe of Dublin firm Lafferty Design, which will manage the project, said: "This project is a very exciting challenge as it will involve conservation of some old buildings as well."

Lafferty Design has been involved in the €1 billion Dundrum shopping centre development in Dublin.

Mr Lambe said the firm hopes to move in on site late next year and construction will take about two years to complete.

One of the buildings the company has taken an option on is the Patrick St birthplace of internationally acclaimed opera singer Catherine Hayes.

Mr Kearney said that as part of the overall development they intend to restore this building and hand it over to Limerick Civic Trust.

Planning notices were published yesterday and will be lodged with Limerick City Council in the coming days.

Mr Kearney said the development would help Limerick city centre shopping, which has suffered in recent years due to the development of new and existing centres in the suburbs.

A spokesman for the developer did not comment yesterday but a formal announcement is expected in the new year.