British pharmacy giant Boots is planning a new store at Wellpark Retail Park in Galway.

Alanis Capital, which owns the retail park, has sought planning permission for a change of use of the former Maplin premises – which has been vacant for four years – from bulky retail use to pharmacy use.

According to the planning application, the proposed Boots store will have “no impact on the parking in the area, as with the change of use, there is no change in the gross floor area”.

“The change from bulky goods to pharmacy will reduce the need of car access to the unit,” the application reads. There are a total of 516 car parking spaces in the centre.

“The site is ideally located close to residential areas and is highly accessible for alternative modes of transport to the car,” the plans read.

Maplin had been trading from the retail park since it opened in 2004, but was one of the many traders which subsequently closed down including Reid Furniture, Instore, PC World, the Sony Centre, Expert Electrical, Carpet Right and Toy City.