A UK-WIDE chain store is set to come to Enniskillen as part of a major new retail development on the outskirts of the town. 

According to Mark Thallon, from agents TDK Property, Home Bargains could be arriving in the county town by the end of the summer. 

He told the Impartial Reporter that site work at the Lake Leisure and Retail Park near Cornagrade is "progressing at pace", with a "target handover" for the units in the first phase (units 2-5) of late summer.

"This will allow both The Range, at unit 5, and Home Bargains, units 2-3, to fit out, and they plan to open prior to Christmas," Mr. Thallon said. 

"We are in advanced stages of discussions with several other parties and hope to be able to make announcements on these closer to the summer."

The main contractor for the retail park is Roxborough Plant and Construction, while the steelwork was carried out by local contractor, RM Steel Erection Ltd., Ballinamallard.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in Enniskillen, the long-awaited McDonald's drive-thru in Enniskillen, could be open by as early as this year. 

Work is ongoing on two major projects in the town, including the Lakeland Leisure and Retail Park, situated at the former Unipork site, and a new McDonald's restaurant, situated at the former location of TP Toppings garage. 

A McDonald's spokesperson said: "Whilst works have begun, we currently have no fixed opening date, but are working towards a completion in Q4 this year."

The McDonald's development will entail a modern freestanding single-storey McDonald’s restaurant with drive-thru, car parking, landscaping and associated works, including customer order displays.