Business

Forestside and Foyleside shopping centres put up for sale

The Forestside (left) and Foyleside (right) shopping centres, which have been put up for sale.
The Forestside (left) and Foyleside (right) shopping centres, which have been put up for sale. The Forestside (left) and Foyleside (right) shopping centres, which have been put up for sale.

The Forestside and Foyleside shopping centres have been put up for sale.

London-based private equity firm Kildare Partners bought the Derry and Belfast retail assets for around £135 million in late 2014.

Property firm Savills confirmed both sites are now on the market.

Accounts filed with Companies House last year revealed the combined valuation of the centres had fallen to a combined £101.5m by the end of 2021.

It's understood the guide price for both assets will be around £75m.

Foyleside Acquisitions Ltd and Forestside Acquisitions Ltd are ultimately owned by Bermuda registered Kildare European Partners, headed by ex-Sunderland owner Ellis Short.

Based on a 14 acre site on the outskirts of South Belfast, the 336,532 sq ft Forestside Shopping Centre comprises 35 retail units and parking for 1,335 vehicles.

Tenants include Marks & Spencer, Dunnes Stores, Sainsbury’s, Next, H&M, Boots, and Waterstones.

Forestside Shopping Centre in South Belfast.
Forestside Shopping Centre in South Belfast. Forestside Shopping Centre in South Belfast.

Savills confirmed the centre is 100 per cent let, attracting 5.1 million visitors in 2022.

Planning permission exists for the development of three restaurants in the car park adjacent to Upper Galwally entrance.

Foyleside comprises 364,637 sq ft of retail space with 53 units spread across four levels. Savills said the scheme is 98 per cent let, with a footfall of 7.5 million in 2022.

The seven acre site in Derry City including parking for 1,520 vehicles.

Ben Turtle, head of Savills Northern Ireland, said: “These sales represent a rare opportunity for investors to acquire 100 per cent prime and dominant retail schemes that consistently outperform from an occupational and consumer perspective.

“We have no doubt they’ll be well received in the market.”

Foyleside Shopping Centre in Derry City.
Foyleside Shopping Centre in Derry City. Foyleside Shopping Centre in Derry City.