Economic Development \ Local Infrastructure \ Retail sector

Retail sector

Overview

Newry has a long established reputation as a centre of retail excellence. Over the past ten years Newry has become one of the fastest growing towns in Ireland. A substantial amount of retail development has been undertaken in this period with a further significant amount of floor space just about to commence on site. Over this ten year period the town has seen approximately 700,000 sq ft (65,030 sq m) of purpose built retail accommodation developed; a number of additional developments are currently being considered.

A key development in respect of local retailing is the creation of a new Town Centre Manager position. The appointment is expected to be made before August 1998 and the manager will be responsible for co-ordinating activities within the Town Centre to further enhance and promote Newry as a quality destination in which to shop, engage in leisure pursuits and to do business generally.

Furthermore, local property developers L&E Properties are seeking planning permission for a major Riverside Retail Warehouse Development at Carnbane Industrial Estate.

Retail activities undertaken by Newry Chamber of Trade including the Quality Retail Scheme are detailed in Section 2.7 of this Database. The Chamber of Trade is also co-ordinating a new shopping guide for Newry.

The Newry Town Centre Management Partnership Ltd. was launched on 1 October 1998 and the new Town Centre Manager is Mr Barry Owens (Tel No: 028 30250303).

Buttercrane Shopping Centre

The Buttercrane Shopping Centre, one of the finest in Northern Ireland has recently completed a further major £8m, 50,000 sq ft investment programme and currently has a number of International multiple tenants including, Marks & Spencer, Dorothy Perkins, Exhibit, Options, Burtons, Easons, Dunnes Stores, Wellworths, Tylers, H. Samuel, Etams, NEXT, Thortons, Goldsmiths etc. The new expansion included a multi-storey car park for 600 cars. The Buttercrane Shopping Centre now offers 250,000 sq f (23,22 sq m) of quality retail accommodation.

The Quays/Sainsbury's £55m Development

Developed by Newry born businessman, Gerard O'Hare, Chief Executive of Carnbane House, in a joint-venture with the Sainsbury Group, The Quays encapsulates the advent of a new era of economic prosperity for Newry, the regeneration of a neglected area and an investment in the latest retail potential of the town. The Sainsbury's store, the first phase of the development was opened in October 1998.

The Quays will integrate a unique blend of leisure and shopping facilities. The complex will house a 60,000 sq ft Sainsbury's supermarket, the first Roches department store to open in Northern Ireland, a ten screen Omniplex cinema, restaurants, cafes, top brand retail multiples and a number of independent retailers.

The investment is believed to be the single largest private sector investment in the area in recent years and is expected to create over 750 jobs in the area. The foundation stone for the development was laid by Dr. Mo Mowlam, Secretary of State and Mr Seamus Mallon MP on 20 May 1998.

It is known that a number of other international multiple retailers including Tesco and Debenhams are currently investigating potential sites in Newry.

Marks & Spencer

Marks and Spencer opened a new 26,500 sq ft £7m store at the Buttercrane Shopping Centre on 17 March 1998. The retail outlet includes a 10,500 sq ft food hall with the first M&S instore bakery in the province.

The M&S store is expected to create 100 jobs and is the first of M&S stores in Ireland to have the new "state of the art" till system `Point-of-Sale 2000'. The Newry store is the first stage in a £70m M&S All-Ireland development programme.

Independent Retailers

Newry also is proud of the quality and breadth of its independent retail outlets, which have resulted in the town being considered for many years as an attractive shopping destination. This perception has undoubtedly played a key role in the decision of multiples such as Sainsbury's and Marks & Spencer to locate in Newry.

The town also has a renowned market which is held every Thursday and Saturday.

Other Household Retail Names

Other household retail names in Newry Include Texas Homecare, Sports Division. Currys and Woolworths. A new Argos store has recently been opened and an Iceland store is planned.

Newry Variety Market

Newry Variety Market is an institution and for over 100 years the market has operated on Thursday and Saturdays. The market located at the Warrenpoint side of Hill Street has a unique atmosphere.