Belfast shopping centre Victoria Square has said ten new brands have taken on around 40,000 sq ft of retail space this year, despite the loss of some key tenants.
Fashion retailer River Island has closed its large unit at the centre and relocated to Donegall Place, where it has taken over the shop space previously occupied by Disney and Clarks.
H&M is also expected to leave Victoria Square early next year, as it prepares to move into new development ‘The Keep’ on Castle Lane.
Sources have also linked Apple to a potential move away from Victoria Square, which has been home to its only store on the island of Ireland since 2008.
But Victoria Square’s owner Commerz Real said it is still managing to attract national and international brands.
Beauty and wellbeing retailer Rituals opened its largest UK store at the Belfast shopping centre last month.
Located on the lower ground floor adjacent to Ted Baker, it is also the debut of a new concept design that will now be rolled out across Ritual’s UK store network.
Other new tenants in 2023 include The White Company, Sweaty Betty, Gilly Hicks, Goldsmiths, Gym+Coffee and Lovisa.
Beauty and make-up brand Sculpted By Aimee also opened its first Northern Ireland store at Victoria Square during September.
Meanwhile, Slim Chicken launched its flagship restaurant at Victoria Square in 2023, while Frankie & Benny’s opened a new and refurbished eatery.
Russell Banham, UK Head at Commerz Real, said: “We are delighted with the sheer number of established brands selecting Victoria Square for regional debuts, flagship locations and upsizes which demonstrates its importance as the leading destination for retail, and leisure in Belfast and Northern Ireland.”
