GLOBAL recognised watch brand Rolex is to open a new £1 million store in Belfast city centre next year.
The major investment from Lunn's Jewellers will see the iconic brand open a new store at Queen's Arcade - the subject of a planned £2m refurbishment.
The Rolex store, due to open in the spring at the Donegall Place entrance has been hailed as a "huge endorsement" for Belfast by Peter Lunn, chairman of Lunn’s Jewellers.
"Rolex is one of the world’s true super-brands and to have their store on Donegall Place, the city’s main retail thoroughfare, is a major expression of confidence. The store will offer customers a truly immersive experience of the brand,” Mr Lunn said.
Lunn’s has also revealed that it has opened an official Rolex workshop in the Arcade, which has just been granted full accreditation by the Swiss watch manufacturer to service its models.
The only dedicated workshop in Northern Ireland with access to genuine certified Rolex parts, it will allow Lunn's to service Rolex models on site with a two-year guarantee endorsed by the brand.
Richard de Leyser, managing director of Rolex UK said they are delighted to expand the offering in Queen's Arcade.
“The plans to extend the space dedicated to Rolex and provide a new and engaging customer experience will perfectly position Lunn’s to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing retail environment.
“The contemporary space will complement the historic architecture of Queen’s Arcade and provide a fitting home for Rolex. We are proud to partner Lunn’s in this new development which will further enhance the unrivalled service to our customers in Northern Ireland.”
Earlier this month Lunn's submitted plans for a £2m refurbishment at Queen's Arcade to help restore the Victorian shopping arcade to its former glory.
If approved it will see the restoration of the Arcade's original iron signage and façade on Donegall Place, the laying of a new Italian terazzo floor and the creation of new shopfronts.
It is hoped that the work on project will begin in January and be completed by May, subject to planning approval being received.
