Business

Newry's Buttercrane Centre reports Primark fire trade boost

Peter Murray, Buttercrane Centre manager
Peter Murray, Buttercrane Centre manager Peter Murray, Buttercrane Centre manager

A NEWRY shopping centre has reported record trading figures, partly thanks to the Primark fire in Belfast.

The Buttercrane Centre is the latest retail destination in the north to report a festive uplift in visitors after Rushmere in Craigavon and Derry's Foyleside earlier this week.

Centre trading was positive in Buttercrane over the final quarter of 2018, specifically the Christmas period, with some stores recording their best ever December figures.

Buttercrane manager, Peter Murray said the strong euro and resultant cross-border trade boosted performance, particularly in November and early December, but also noted additional business generated due to the Primark fire at Bank Buildings

As a direct result of the August 28 blaze, Primark was closed in the city centre for over three months until re-opening in Commonwealth House on December 8.

“The impact of the Primark fire in Bank Buildings Belfast was felt widely by Belfast high street traders, but as a by-product of that tragedy, many displaced Primark fans visited Buttercane, Newry – as it is currently the largest Primark in Northern Ireland,” Mr Murray said.

Looking ahead the centre manager is optimistic for a strong trading year.

"Buttercrane continues to develop an appealing programme of events, mall activities, investing in customer services, award winning bathroom and parent and child facilities, offering all weather parking and ample onsite parking to make the Buttercrane Shopping Centre experience positive as we start a new trading year," Mr Murray added.

In yesterday's Irish News it was reported that Craigavon's Rushmere centre enjoyed the most successful festive trading period in its 42-year history, while Foyleside in Derry announced it welcomed an unprecedented 2.26 million people in 2018.