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Ulster Bank takes over Banbridge Outlet store Ulster Bank takes over Banbridge Outlet store
(about 1 hour later)
Ulster Bank has taken control of The Outlet centre in Banbridge following financial problems for the developer.Ulster Bank has taken control of The Outlet centre in Banbridge following financial problems for the developer.
The £70m store, the biggest factory outlet in Ireland, opened in 2007.The £70m store, the biggest factory outlet in Ireland, opened in 2007.
Neither Ulster Bank nor the owner, Guernsey-based developer, John Farmer, has made any comment.Neither Ulster Bank nor the owner, Guernsey-based developer, John Farmer, has made any comment.
It is thought that the move by the bank to take control, rather than put the development into administration, may be seen as a vote of confidence in the scheme's long-term future.It is thought that the move by the bank to take control, rather than put the development into administration, may be seen as a vote of confidence in the scheme's long-term future.
The business is continuing to trade normally.
Recover
Documents seen by the BBC suggest that the bank is holding The Outlet in a company called West Register (Northern Ireland).
Ulster Bank's parent company, RBS, has set up a special group of companies called West Register.
The purpose of this group is to hold troubled businesses that the bank thinks it should retain because of the possibility that they could recover some of their value.
For example, the Richmond Centre in Londonderry was bought by West Register last year after the company that owned it went bust owing RBS millions.
In May, an Ulster Bank mortgage relating to The Outlet was registered against West Register (Northern Ireland).
DemiseDemise
BBC Northern Ireland business editor Jim Fitzpatrick said the retail park had "fallen victim to the demise of the southern shopper".BBC Northern Ireland business editor Jim Fitzpatrick said the retail park had "fallen victim to the demise of the southern shopper".
"It was conceived for an all-Ireland market with the developer citing the big savings that could be enjoyed by southern consumers."It was conceived for an all-Ireland market with the developer citing the big savings that could be enjoyed by southern consumers.
"But the huge cost of underwriting the Republic's banking sector has left Irish taxpayers with considerably less money to spend."But the huge cost of underwriting the Republic's banking sector has left Irish taxpayers with considerably less money to spend.
"That, combined with higher petrol costs, has removed the incentive for shoppers to head north for a bargain.""That, combined with higher petrol costs, has removed the incentive for shoppers to head north for a bargain."
Documents seen by the BBC show that the bank is holding The Outlet in a company called West Register (Northern Ireland).
Ulster Bank's parent company, RBS, has set up a special group of companies called West Register.
Recover
The purpose of this group is to hold troubled businesses that the bank thinks it should retain because of the possibility that they could recover some of their value.
For example, the Richmond Centre in Londonderry was bought by West Register last year after the company that owned it went bust owing RBS millions.
In May, an Ulster Bank mortgage relating to The Outlet was registered against West Register (Northern Ireland).
In a statement, Ulster Bank said the shopping centre had a strong tenant list making up its 82 stores, employing approximately 500 full and part time staff.
"West Register (Northern Ireland) Property Limited will work with the Centre's management team to secure the long term success of The Outlet."