LONG-established fashion retailer Louis Boyd has reopened its flagship Newry store after a £200,000 investment which has doubled its floorspace and increased job numbers.
The Mill Street outlet, which has been trading since 1960, now offers more than 15,000 sq ft of shopping space over two floors.
And since the relaxation of Covid restrictions allowed non-essential retail to reopen at the end of last month, Louis Boyd said trading has been “exceptional”.
Director Liam Boyd said: “We used the closure period to do all the essential work, and we're absolutely delighted at the outcome.
“It's been like a Christmas trading week ever since we reopened. The Newry and wider general public really have embraced the changes.
“It has been a tremendously tough time for independent retail traders over the last year, but we're moving forward well and we're confident for the future.”
The Mill Street hub is the chain's bread and butter operation, but Louis Boyd also trades at stores in Newry's Buttercrane shopping centre as well as in Belfast at the Park Centre and Kennedy Centre, and at Rushmere in Craigavon.
Liam added: “We've also significantly updated our website, assisted by Invest NI, and we've launched our new 'Plain & Pretty' womenswear brand.
“A number of established retailers have sadly fallen by the wayside during the pandemic, but we've been able to recruit some experienced staff who'd previously been with the Arcadia Group.”
It's more than 20 years since the family-owned Louis Boyd chain last had such a major revamp and expansion of its Mill Street store.
Louis Boyd specialises in casual wear, footwear and formal wear, as well as the hiring and buying of menswear for formal occasions. Its extensive range of brands includes Tommy Hilfiger, Remus Uomo, Farah, Superdry, Diesel, Jack Wills, Tommy Bowe, Hush Puppy, Base London, Lyle & Scott, Benetti and Sergio Duletti.
Liam adds: “We stock top brands and continue to expand our range of suppliers, to service the customer with the most complete experience.
“We now boast a dominant online presence, as the second and third generations of the families take the reins and steer the brand toward a contemporary, market-leading position.
“We’re proud to service customers from all over the globe, giving them a taste of the premium Louis Boyd experience in their own home.
“And our mantra remains that we're not here to make sales, but here to make customers.”
