Plans to develop Ireland's biggest retail outlet adjacent to Banbridge will become a reality in the near future as the intention to grant detailed planning permission is announced.

The development which will be known as The Outlet at Bridgewater Park will provide 205,000sq ft of retail space, with a 400 metre frontage on to the A1 adjacent to the Banbridge junction. The location was chosen for its prime accessibility to approximately two thirds of Irelands 5.5 million population and the sites prominence directly fronting the A1 means the development will be seen from the 22,000 vehicles passing every day. The developer predicts over 2 million visitors per annum to the Outlet and that it will be one of the most popular destinations in Ireland.

Construction work will commence on site early this year and the opening of The Outlet is planned for later next year. Major improvements to the road network, aimed as easing congestion, will be made including a new flyover providing two lane access into and out of the site directly onto the A1 Euroroute.

The Outlet will be built in a high quality  contemporary style which will be laid out as a "visitor friendly" single curved pedestrian street with all shops facing inwards. Facilities on offer will include approximately 80 shops, 3 cafes and coffee shops, a restaurant and tourist information bureau. To date several international retailers have committed to take space within the Outlet and many others are expected to follow now that planning will be granted.

The Bridgewater Park development is expected to bring a major economic boost to the region. The Outlet alone will provide over 600 new jobs in retail, services and security. Many other businesses will benefit indirectly from the increased visitor flow into the area.

The Outlet will promote Banbridge  as a major destinarion on the Belfast / Dublin Economic corridor offering a unique integrated package of industrial, tourist and specialist retail investment opportunities. It will also catapult Banbridge to the top echelon of commercial, tourist and business bases in Northern Ireland and strengthen its ability to compete with larger towns on both sides of the border