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Work Begins on £1m Retail Development

DEMOLITION WORK began on a Stranraer town centre building this week, clearing the way for a £1 million shopping complex.

The 200-year-old Bellevilla House, a former old folk's home situated at Portrodie, is being torn down to allow retail giants Argos, New Look and Birthdays to move into the proposed town centre complex.

And, according to the owners of the site, Palisade Properties, that should be as soon as the middle of next summer.

Luce Bay Plant Hire diggers began demolishing the Bellevilla building on Tuesday in a programme expected to take just over a month.

The area was surrounded by security fencing as the work commenced.

Palisade Director Paul Doherty said:

"It will take us four or five weeks to clear the site. Then the programme proper will begin at the end of January.

"The contract for the new build, which should start at the end of January, is a five-month job and we should look to be finished by mid-summer.

"We are looking forward to a successful programme. I know this will be a quality development that will serve the people of Stranraer well".

Last year councillors undertook a survey of shoppers in Stranraer.

The survey concluded that there was a general dissatisfaction with a "poor range of shops" and a need for more clothes stores.

Mr Doherty confirmed that Argos, New Look and Birthdays would lease the three units at the complex from his company.

It is thought that the arrival of three major stores will create over 50 jobs in the town.