Arklow centre to create 750 jobs

SOME 750 jobs are to be created when a massive €130 million waterfront shopping and leisure centre opens next year in Arklow, Co Wicklow, it was revealed yesterday.

The Bridgewater Centre on the town’s north quay, will include 36 shops, a cinema, restaurants and apartments and offices overlooking the Avoca River.

It is expected to open in autumn next year.

Jobs being created will include store managers, sales assistants, customer service posts, centre management as well as office jobs.

Some 400 workers are employed on the construction site and that figure is expected to rise to 1,500 during the fit-out period.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, who visited the site yesterday, said that the development was the latest example of investment in towns and cities around the country.

“The benefits which will accrue to not only Arklow but the wider region as a result of this development are very significant and I am delighted to welcome an investment of this magnitude to Wicklow,” he said.

Bridgewater will be the first fully enclosed scheme of its kind in the south east region with the centre including 36 retailers anchored by Dunnes Stores.

Three other major stores will also have a presence, along with 32 other outlets.

The 13-acre development includes a multi-screen cinema, a food court with six outlets, 23 two- and three-bedroom apartments, a 33,000sq ft office block and around 1,000 car parking spaces.

Michael Allen, spokesman for North Quay Developments, said Bridgewater would not only create hundreds of jobs but keep shoppers in the Arklow area.

“The south-east region between Dublin and Waterford has been seriously lacking a high-quality retail and leisure development up to now. Because of this, people are travelling very large distances to other centres,” Mr Allen said.

“Arklow is an ideally located town to take advantage of this opportunity.”