Jobs Boost As Connswater Adds Retailers

The recently refurbished Connswater Shopping Centre has attracted five major retail names and more than 90 new jobs.

Connswater Manager, Gerry Monaghan, (pictured) said: "The addition of high-profile brands such as Barratts, Halfords, Internacionale, Poundstretcher Xtra and Playtime Activity Café underlines the quality of Connswater's offering for potential tenants and the investment we have made."

Last year, Killultagh Estates started the refurbishment and the 40,000 sq ft retail extension. The project cost £6 million and will be finished in November.

"Connswater has been a core part of Belfast shopping for over two decades. We continue to offer customers the best experience, family-friendly facilities and convenient opening times enabling us to attract customers from across the city," added Monaghan.

The shopping centre, situated in east Belfast, attracts almost three million visitors every year and has more than 50 leading retailers.

The East Belfast DUP MLA, and Junior Minister, Robin Newton has welcomed the announcement of an additional five stores.

"As these five brand name shops open their doors for business this investment, in a time of economic difficulty, will give a boost to east Belfast's and the overall Northern Ireland economy.

"For these highly successful stores to invest in East Belfast could be seen as a first sign of a recovery from the current economic gloom.

"These are retailers with a UK wide presence and their new business in East Belfast is likely to give confidence to others to follow in their wake," he said, noting that, between them, these five retailers will give local shoppers just that little bit more "retail therapy choice".

Tanya McKeown, from Colliers CRE, the managing agents for Connswater, stated: "Even in these challenging times, Connswater continues to grow and bring leading retailers to our complex".

"The addition of five well-known names is exciting news for both our customers and existing retailers. It further strengthens our position as the leading local shopping centre with an unequalled variety of outlets."

(CL/BMcc)