Next confirm significant investment with store relocation at The Quays, Newry

Leading UK retailer Next has confirmed that it is relocating to larger premises at The Quays, Newry – more than doubling its store size to almost 27,000 sq ft.

Next will occupy a two-storey unit in the new Phase 5 development directly adjacent to Marks and Spencer and PureGym, who both opened at the scheme around 12 months ago. The new store is scheduled to open in May 2019 and Next will continue to trade from its existing premises at the shopping centre until then.

Colin Mathewson, senior director at letting agents CBRE, commented: “The relocation of Next to this much larger store at The Quays is a major boost for the scheme and we very much look forward to its opening in the coming months. 

“This commitment from Next, following the recent opening by Marks and Spencer, further cements The Quays’ dominant position within the city and is a fantastic achievement in the current retail environment.

“In addition, we soon hope to be in a position to announce a new occupier at the current Next unit, which will be another positive move for the scheme.

“A number of smaller units remain available within the Phase 5 development.”

Cathal Austin, centre manager at The Quays, Newry, added: “Since the opening of Phase 5, in particular Marks and Spencer, we have seen a substantial increase in footfall, and the addition of the new format Next store will no doubt add significantly to that again.

"The scheme has an unrivalled retail offering which includes a cinema, gym, restaurants and extensive car parking, and occupies a strategic border location between Belfast and Dublin.”

The Quays originally opened 19 years ago and is home to Debenhams, Marks and Spencer, Sainsbury’s and a wide range of other leading retailers, as well as a multiplex cinema, PureGym, and high-quality office accommodation, and has in excess of 1,000 customer car park spaces.