Primark, TK Maxx, H&M, restaurants and even a return to the idea of bowling and family entertainment are among the suggestions put forward by local people as debate continues over the future of retail in Enniskillen.
The discussion follows plans for Marks & Spencer to leave its current Erneside Shopping Centre store and open a new, significantly larger Foodhall at Lakelands Retail Park.
After Tesco joined the owners of Erneside in objecting to the proposed move, an Enniskillen Mix article on the plans generated a significant response from readers, with many appearing supportive of M&S relocating to Lakelands.
That led us to ask a different question: if M&S does leave Erneside, what would people like to see replace it?
More than 60 comments followed, and while the responses were varied, several names and themes appeared repeatedly.
Primark proves a popular choice
Of all the individual retailers suggested, Primark was by far one of the most frequently mentioned.
Some readers simply responded with the retailer’s name, while others argued that a Primark could give shoppers another reason to visit Erneside.
Not everyone agreed.
One reader questioned whether Enniskillen would have a large enough population to attract Primark, while another pointed to existing stores elsewhere in the region.
There is currently no indication that Primark has plans to open in Enniskillen, and the retailer’s appearance in the discussion is purely a suggestion from readers.
TK Maxx, H&M and Zara also suggested
Primark wasn’t the only fashion retailer people wanted to see.
TK Maxx received a number of mentions, with H&M another recurring suggestion.
Other names put forward included Zara, Matalan, Yours Clothing, Pull&Bear, Stradivarius, Bonmarché and SHEIN.
Some readers suggested more than one retailer, reflecting a wider feeling among those taking part in the discussion that Enniskillen could benefit from a broader choice of clothing stores.
Again, none of these suggestions represent confirmed plans for Erneside.
Some readers don’t want M&S clothing to disappear
There was also a noticeably different response from another group of readers.
Rather than wanting an entirely new retailer to replace M&S, some would like to see M&S retain a clothing and home presence at Erneside if its food operation moves to Lakelands.
One reader said: “I’d just like to see M&S clothing take over the whole store.”
Another called for a “bigger M&S clothing store”, while others questioned whether the food and clothing sides of the business could operate separately.
Under the current proposal, the new Lakelands development is for an M&S Foodhall, rather than a full-line M&S department store.
M&S has said customers would be able to use Click & Collect at the proposed new store for fashion, home and beauty orders.
Calls for somewhere better to eat
Interestingly, the conversation wasn’t entirely about shopping.
Several readers raised the issue of food and restaurants at Erneside, suggesting that somewhere to sit down for lunch or a recognisable restaurant could give people another reason to spend time at the shopping centre.
“Erneside needs a decent place to get a lunch!” one reader commented.
Another suggested bringing a restaurant such as Nando’s to the centre, while other responses combined suggestions for new clothing retailers with calls for a restaurant.
Those comments point towards something that came up repeatedly throughout the discussion — people weren’t necessarily asking solely for more shops.
What about something for families to do?
Calls for more leisure and entertainment in Enniskillen also resurfaced.
One reader suggested a bowling alley, indoor crazy golf and laser tag, saying the town needed more for families, young people and couples to enjoy.
Another called for a cinema and bowling alley alongside better shops.
It’s particularly notable given the history of Lakelands Retail Park.
The original plans for the development included a six-screen cinema, bowling alley and indoor play centre, but the proposed leisure element was subsequently dropped, with Lidl eventually approved for part of the development instead.
For some local residents, it appears the desire for those types of facilities hasn’t disappeared.
Parking also enters the debate
Erneside’s parking arrangements were another issue raised by some readers.
One commenter argued that removing the parking charge could encourage more people to visit the shopping centre, while others have previously pointed to easier and free parking as one of the reasons they support M&S moving to Lakelands.
Parking wasn’t the main focus of our question, but its appearance in the responses demonstrates that the discussion surrounding Erneside isn’t solely about which retailer occupies which unit.
For shoppers, accessibility, places to eat and reasons to spend longer at the centre can matter too.
What happens next?
For now, the future of the M&S store at Erneside remains tied to the ongoing planning process surrounding its proposed new Foodhall at Lakelands Retail Park.
Tesco and Erneside’s owners have objected to the application, raising concerns about the potential impact of further out-of-town retail development on Enniskillen town centre.
M&S, meanwhile, is encouraging local residents to support its application and says the larger Foodhall would represent a significant investment in Enniskillen while safeguarding existing jobs.
What ultimately replaces M&S at Erneside — should the proposed move go ahead — remains unknown.
But if the response from Enniskillen Mix readers is anything to go by, there is certainly no shortage of ideas.
From Primark and TK Maxx to restaurants, M&S clothing and family entertainment, the conversation has highlighted something broader than the future of one retail unit.
It’s also opened up a discussion about what people would like Enniskillen’s shopping and leisure offering to look like in the years ahead.
