ConvenienceStores: Superquinn is to open its first convenience store at the newly-developed Charlesland Centre in Greystones, Co Wicklow.

The retail and leisure complex will be the centrepiece of a large new neighbourhood on the edge of Greystones which is being developed by Mountbrook Homes and Ballymore. There will be 300 apartments, 1,350 houses, a 100,000 sq m (1.076 million sq ft) business park as well as retail warehousing, a petrol station and a public park.

Superquinn will trade out of a 929 sq m (10,000 sq ft) unit which will carry the carry the usual range of groceries and high quality ready- to-eat meals.

Work is already well advanced on the new centre and fit-out will get under way in May. It will have a total floor area of 4,400 sq m (47,361 sq ft) ranging in size from 62 to 200 sq m (667 to 2,152 sq ft). Agent CB Richard Ellis Gunne is quoting rents of over €590 per sq m (€55 per sq ft). There will be 10 retail units on the ground floor and more retail space at first floor level along with a medical centre. The second floor will have offices. According to the letting agent, there is very considerable interest in the remaining units which will trade as a pharmacy, newsagent, optician, hair and beauty, DVD/video store and dry cleaners. There will also be a bar and restaurant and a 500 sq m (5,381 sq ft) crèche.

The centre will be located on the side of a new dual carriageway which will link up with the Greystones Southern Access Route and in turn will connect with the N11 at Kilpedder.

James Quinlan of Gunne said that with the new Southern Access Route becoming the principal access route in and out of Greystones, it was obvious that the high level of interest in the centre stemmed from the fact that traders realised the potential for a big volume of passing traffic.

The Gunne agency is already in discussions with a number of large space users about relocating to the business park which will get under way this summer.

The easy accessibility of the park is expected to greatly enhance its appeal in the greater Dublin and east Wicklow areas.