Retailer expansion in Newry following £20m investment at The Quays

The £20m investment in the phase five development at The Quays Shopping Centre in Newry has completed, with some of the UK’s most prominent retailers having already opened or currently fitting out.

Phase five at The Quays comprises an additional 100,000 sq ft of retail space, and Marks & Spencer and PureGym are the first retailers to commit their future to the shopping centre.

PureGym opened at the end of 2017 and Marks & Spencer are currently in fit-out, with a grand opening on 1st February.

“Duncan Costin, property director, PureGym commented: “We’re delighted to be opening our new premises at The Quays, Newry and we look forward to welcoming the local community.

“The new site will allow our growing membership base to benefit from access to our low-cost, flexible and high-quality fitness facilities. We plan to take full advantage of the significant footfall at The Quays and the surrounding catchment area.”

Ryan Lemon, Head of Region for M&S Northern Ireland said: “We are delighted to continue our investment and commitment to Newry and look forward to bringing the very best of M&S food and drink to The Quays.”

The completion of phase five at The Quays follows the recent announcement that international retailers Smiggle, Søstrene Grene and The Body Shop have joined an expansive line up of exciting new tenants expected to open at the shopping centre in the coming weeks and months.

Dr Gerard O’Hare, managing director, Parker Green commented: “Our investment in phase five demonstrates our confidence that Newry remains at the top level of retail demand, and will also help secure the commercial vitality of the city and the wider catchment area.

"We are delighted to have secured leading retailers in Marks & Spencer and PureGym, which are both fantastic additions to the existing list of prestigious retail brands currently on offer at The Quays, such as Debenhams, Sainsbury’s, Next, Top Shop, River Island and Superdry."

 Colin Mathewson, senior director, CBRE concluded: “The Quays is perfectly placed to benefit from the arrival of these fantastic new tenants, as the retail sector in Northern Ireland continues to perform well with the continued benefit of the Sterling/Euro exchange rate and cross-border trade.

“Newry’s position as the premier retail destination in Northern Ireland outside of Belfast is currently unrivalled, and more high-profile retail brands are set to arrive at the shopping centre throughout 2018.”