Dunelm Plans 35,000 sq ft Sprucefield Superstore Creating 40 Jobs in Northern Ireland
Homewares retailer Dunelm has confirmed plans to open a major new superstore at Sprucefield Retail Park on the outskirts of Belfast, taking over two previously vacant units that have sat empty since Argos and Next Home departed in 2024 — a development that will create 40 jobs and represents one of the most significant retail investments in Northern Ireland's out-of-town retail sector in recent years.Background
Sprucefield Retail Park, located on the A1 dual carriageway between Belfast and Lisburn, is one of Northern Ireland's most prominent out-of-town retail destinations. The park has undergone significant change in recent years, with the departure of several anchor tenants creating vacant units that have been a source of concern for the park's owners and for the broader retail sector in the region. The acquisition of the park by San Diego-based Realty Income Corporation for £51 million at the end of 2025 signalled a new phase of investment, and the Dunelm announcement is the most concrete evidence yet of that investment bearing fruit.
Dunelm is one of the UK's leading homewares retailers, with a strong presence across Great Britain and a growing footprint in Northern Ireland. The company currently operates five stores in the region, including its existing Belfast location on Boucher Road, as well as stores in Derry, Ballymena, Newtownabbey, and Coleraine. The Sprucefield superstore would be significantly larger than any of its existing Northern Ireland locations, reflecting the company's confidence in the regional market and its ambition to grow its presence in the province.
The retail sector in Northern Ireland has faced significant challenges in recent years, with the closure of several major chains and the ongoing shift towards online shopping reducing footfall in both city centre and out-of-town locations. Against this backdrop, a major new retail investment creating 40 jobs is genuinely welcome news for the regional economy and for the communities that depend on retail employment.
Key Developments
Dunelm has confirmed plans to occupy two amalgamated units at Sprucefield Retail Park, previously used by Argos and Next Home, which have been vacant since 2024. The combined space of 35,000 sq ft will house a full Dunelm superstore offering the company's complete range of homewares, furniture, and soft furnishings, along with a café. The development is expected to create approximately 40 new jobs, with recruitment expected to begin once planning approval is secured from Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council.
A fresh planning application has been submitted to the council by Realty Income Corporation, the park's new owner, following an initial application submitted by the previous owners in early 2025. The application covers the amalgamation of the two units and the fit-out works required to accommodate the Dunelm store. Subject to planning approval, the store is expected to open later in 2026 or in early 2027.
The Dunelm announcement is part of a broader investment programme at Sprucefield that includes new food units for Nando's, Starbucks, and Slim Chickens, and a planned new Lidl supermarket. The combination of new food and beverage offerings and a major homewares anchor tenant is designed to increase dwell time at the park and attract a wider range of shoppers. Dunelm has also announced a new store "coming soon" to Rushmere Shopping Centre in Antrim, further expanding its Northern Ireland presence.
Why It Matters
The Dunelm announcement matters because it represents genuine private sector confidence in Northern Ireland's retail market at a time when that confidence has been in short supply. The departure of major retailers from both city centre and out-of-town locations over the past several years has created a narrative of retail decline that has been difficult to counter. A 35,000 sq ft superstore investment, creating 40 jobs, is a meaningful counterpoint to that narrative.
For Sprucefield specifically, the Dunelm announcement addresses one of the park's most visible problems: the large vacant units left by Argos and Next Home. Empty units in prominent retail locations send a negative signal about the health of the retail sector and can create a downward spiral as reduced footfall makes remaining tenants less viable. Filling those units with a well-known national retailer reverses that dynamic and creates the conditions for further investment.
Local Impact
For residents of Lisburn, south Belfast, and the surrounding areas, the Dunelm superstore will provide a major new homewares destination that is currently absent from the local retail offer. The 40 jobs created will be a welcome addition to the local economy, particularly given the pressures that the retail sector has faced in recent years. For Sprucefield Retail Park, the announcement is expected to increase footfall and make the park more attractive to other potential tenants. The café element of the Dunelm store will add to the park's food and beverage offer, complementing the new Nando's, Starbucks, and Slim Chickens units that are also planned.
What's Next
The planning application to Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council is expected to be determined within the standard timeframe of eight to twelve weeks. Subject to approval, Dunelm will begin the fit-out of the two amalgamated units, with recruitment for the 40 new positions expected to begin several months before the store opens. The council's planning committee will consider the application at a future meeting, with local councillors expected to welcome the investment given its job creation potential. Dunelm's existing Belfast Boucher Road store will continue to operate throughout the development process.
Sources: The Irish News — Dunelm Sprucefield superstore, 29 April 2026; Belfast Telegraph — Northern Ireland business news
