Discount giant Home Bargains is set to move into a Homebase store in Irvine to triple its size.
Councillors paved the way for the national chain to relocate to the bigger premises by lifting trading restrictions earlier today.
A garden centre is part of the Home Bargain expansion proposals at the Riverway Retail Park.
Meanwhile Homebase is still trading from the store while Home Bargains eyes it up.
It is understood the DIY retailer has been having discussions with the landlord about the future of its Irvine shop.
Homebase has been shutting stores across the UK.
Home Bargains’ current premises in the retail park measures 929 square metres. Flitting to the Homebase unit would give the firm 2924 square metres.
The North Ayrshire Planning Committee agreed to change conditions so all types of goods can be sold from the Homebase unit.
Senior manager of planning Jim Miller told councillors the retail sector had moved on since the restrictions were put in place.
A planning report said the changes would “enable the relocation and expansion of Home Bargains, who would become an anchor tenant as a result of the development.”
A supporting statement lodged with the council said: “Home Bargains current store in the retail park is trading very well, hence the reason they are seeking a larger presence in Riverway.”
It stated that: “a larger Home Bargains in this location with a garden centre will improve the offer for shoppers in Irvine and North Ayrshire.”
Sales at Home Bargains account for 30 per cent food and 70 per cent other goods.
