A €25 million plan to extend the Golden Island shopping centre in Athlone has the potential to create an additional 300 jobs bringing total employed at the centre to 900 according to the centre’s owners Devonstar.
The new development will bring total retail space at the centre to 14,419 square metres. Proposals for a hotel, restaurant and civic area are also included in the plan which is subject to planning permission.
Commenting on the proposed development today, Mr Bill Ledwidge, chairman of Devonstar said the second phase of the Golden Island centre will be "a landmark development for Athlone".
He said the centre has been a success for the midland region creating 400 full-time and 200 seasonal jobs which contribute €8 million to the local economy in wages. Since Golden Island opened its doors in 1997, 17 million people have visited the centre, Mr Ledwidge said.