Craigavon’s popular Marlborough Retail Park is set to welcome another drive-thru restaurant, marking the fourth such development at the Co Armagh shopping complex. The application, submitted by Portadown-based Turkingtons, proposes a substantial unit adjacent to the Airtastic Entertainment Centre, further enhancing the area’s food and leisure options.
Key Takeaways
- A new drive-thru restaurant is planned for Marlborough Retail Park in Craigavon.
- The application has been submitted by Turkingtons to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
- The proposed unit is located near the Airtastic Entertainment Centre.
- No specific operator has been confirmed yet.
- The development includes indoor seating, outdoor seating, and 30 parking spaces.
Development Details
The proposed development, spanning nearly 2,500 square metres, is situated on lands immediately adjacent and south-west of Units 4 and 5 at the retail park. While the specific operator remains undisclosed, the plans detail a drive-thru restaurant with an outdoor seating area, along with associated parking and siteworks. The unit is expected to be of a similar height to existing restaurants within the park.
Internally, the restaurant will feature seating for 34 customers, a kitchen, back-of-house facilities, staff and customer toilets, and a covered bin store. An outdoor seating area, main entrance, side entrance, staff entrance, and a pay-and-collect hatch are also part of the design. Thirty parking spaces are allocated within the plans.
Operational Plan And Impact
The drive-thru is designed for access from Highfield Grove. The system will allow vehicles to enter from the south, with 15 queuing spaces leading to the pay-and-collect hatch, and then exit to the north, including one waiting bay. Transport assessments indicate that the proposals provide adequate parking and will not negatively impact road safety or traffic flow in the town centre location.
The application follows the successful redevelopment of Marlborough Retail Park since the closure of B&Q in 2016. It is anticipated that this new addition will complement the existing retail, leisure, and drive-thru offerings, thereby strengthening the vitality of Craigavon Town Centre. The application is expected to be advertised shortly.
