John Lewis is an employee owned department store
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An upmarket department store chain has opted for a retail park in County Antrim over Dublin for its new outlet.
It is understood John Lewis had considered a site in Tallaght, but chose instead to build a store at Sprucefield, near Lisburn.
The development is expected to create up to 1,000 full and part-time jobs, it emerged on Tuesday.
A formal announcement is expected to be made on Wednesday.
Lisburn DUP councillor Edwin Poots said it was a coup for the city.
"The store will draw thousands of people from outside the area," he said.
"I think that both Lisburn city centre and Belfast will benefit from it."