Planning approval for BHS store transformation to Keep hospitality on top

Belfast-based Alterity Investments has been granted planning permission for a retail and leisure development in the city known as The Keep.

When Alterity acquired the building in early 2021 it had been sitting empty for almost five years, after retailer BHS went into administration in 2016.

Richard Faloon, commercial director of Alterity Investments, said: “Alterity is a local company and having invested in property throughout England and Scotland in recent years, we are delighted to see this major investment into Belfast City centre granted planning permission to proceed.

“The project represents a substantial investment in the city centre and we believe that as well as regenerating the site, it will also help revitalise the surrounding area and benefit the existing holdings the company already has in the Castle Lane and Cornmarket area.”

Brian Kidd from Frazer Kidd, explained: “It is really positive for Belfast that planners have approved Alterity’s plans for the Keep building. Alterity is an investor with a proven track record and it is a vote of confidence in the city that they have committed to bringing this landmark building back into use in a way that meets the needs of modern retailers and leisure operators.

“We have seen really strong interest from international occupiers in the retail and leisure sectors in this prime location between Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter and City Centre core, and we hope to be in the position to confirm details of some of those occupiers in the coming months.”