Ireland Property

Listed digital services and platforms provider Kainos Group has agreed a £7.05m deal to acquire a site for the development of its future Belfast headquarters.

Bankmore Square, on the city's Dublin Road, is being acquired from its current owner Movie House Cinemas Ltd.

The site received planning committee approval in May 2017 for a replacement 250,000 sq ft grade A office building, although Kainos will be submitting a revised planning application.

Kainos said the new premises will allow it to grow and scale its workforce to support the next stage of the group's growth.

"Our people remain central to everything we do and we want to ensure that our staff work in the best environment possible," said Kainos chief executive Brendan Mooney.

"As well as the additional capacity that the office will bring to our business and workforce, this investment, and the location of our new HQ, signals our commitment to retaining and attracting the best staff.

"We remain focused on providing exceptional careers and working conditions for all at Kainos and hope to close this transaction soon."

Completion of the property deal is expected on 3 June 2019.