Big Boost to Shopping at Buttercrane with 5 New Stores
As retailers flex up for pre-Christmas trade, Buttercrane Centre has been boosted with the addition of five stores this month.
The Centre is home to 50+ stores anchored by Primark, Dunnes Stores, Sports Direct and LIDL with five new additions representing an investment of £1.1M+ and spanning some 15,000 sq ft. of additional retail space. This month saw new lettings including Boots Opticians, B Perfect Cosmetics and fashion boutique Ivy Lane whilst existing tenants HOME and Superdrug have both doubled their footprint. Across the five stores, 45 new jobs have been created.
Buttercrane Centre Manager Peter Murray said: “We are thrilled to have an occupancy rate of 98% as we approach the Christmas season. Following on from recent major investment in the scheme, opening up Bridge Street and acquiring anchor tenants Sports Direct and Lidl last year, we’ve capitalised on that appeal to deliver an exciting combination of new brands to Buttercrane.
“These new brands, larger stores and enhanced mall offering are testament to the hard work of our management team, letting agents Lambert Smith Hampton and Cushman Wakefield, and the ongoing investment of the landlord in ensuring the highest quality services and facilities for our customers.”
Boots the Chemist has been successful trading in the Centre for over 20 years and has now added Boots the Optician in a strategic move to build the brand in NI. It’s a UK leading multiple with over 550 stores and this is their 7th store in Northern Ireland. Customers can choose from a range of designer brand frames including Versace, Tipperary, Armani, Saint Laurent and Kurt Geiger. Hearing Care is also offered in the store utilising the latest auditory testing technology.
This month B Perfect has launched a new store in Buttercrane – joining other mega stores in Belfast, Dublin and Glasgow. The award winning Irish cosmetic brand was first launched by local man Brendan McDowell in 2012 and has since secured ‘must have’ status and multiple awards for the B Perfect tanning and cosmetic products which are now stocked in over 2000 stores across Ireland and the UK.
The start of November also welcomed, Ivy Lane – a new independent female fashion boutique specialising in on-trend, affordable fashion. Following on from the success of its sister store Reeva, Ivy Lane will have a range of special occasion and evening out looks from labels including AX Paris, Kate & Pippa and Marc Angelo in sizes 8-16.
In a clear signal of confidence in the Centre, Superdrug has doubled the footprint of the store and its staff numbers as it reveals a ‘makeover’ this month, becoming one of the largest stores in NI.
Bigger is definitely better for the cosmetic multiple who now occupies some 7,000 sq. ft. and with that brings a number of new cosmetic brands to Newry including Nails Inc, Bourjois, Re Love by Revolution and skin care collections from La RocPosey, AHC, Egyptian Magic, ALYA and Imina.
Plus, it has extended its brow, piercing and nail services with a larger dedicated service bar in the new store with new options including brow and lash lamination delivered by qualified beauty technicians.
Home – the kitchen, living and bedding specialist has been trading in Buttercrane for four years and this month ‘moved house’ into a new retail unit which doubles its’ footprint to 2,800 square foot. The store now offers an extended range of home furnishings, décor and bedding with lot of seasonal offers.
Welcoming the new additions Peter Murray Centre Manager said:
“Buttercrane has always offered an enviable mix of independent and national retailers which customers love and we are delighted to welcome these new brands and expansion of existing traders. This has created significant new employment in the area and it’s great so see local and national companies investing economically in our region. The cumulative £1.1m investment is a very clear signal of confidence in Newry City, in traditional ‘bricks and mortar retail’ and in Buttercrane Centre itself,” Peter concluded.
ENDS
