FASHION retailer DV8, whose existing Belfast city shop shop is inside the exclusion cordon following the Primark fire, will open a new outlet in Belfast’s CastleCourt shopping centre this weekend.
And the chain, which operates more than 40 shops across the UK and Ireland, is expected to be the first of several new stores to open in CastleCourt over the coming weeks.
It was forced to temporarily close its other outlet in the city due to being located within the no-go zone placed around the former Primark site following last month’s devastating fire.
Michael Wright, director of asset management at CastleCourt owners Wirefox, said: “CastleCourt remains one of Belfast’s premier shopping destinations and has remained open following the Primark fire.
“DV8 further enhances our offering in the branded fashion market and extends our CastleCourt portfolio to more than 100 retail partners.
“And although the letting was agreed before the Primark fire, we're delighted the timing has allowed DV8 to continue trading in Belfast in the crucial run up to Christmas."
He added: “Discussions are continuing with other displaced retailers seeking alternative premises and we have supported others in providing meeting spaces and offering alternative retail options.”
Paul Wilson, retailer director at letting agent Savills, revealed: “We are in the closing stages of negotiations with a number of other retailers and will be announcing several new tenancies over the coming months.”
The opening comes as CastleCourt begins to roll out a strategy aimed at rejuvenating footfall into the Belfast city centre following the Primark fire.
On Saturdays and Sundays throughout September, parking charges at the centre have been reduced to £1 an hour.
Mr Wright added: “CastleCourt has long been considered the natural gateway to the city centre and our car park offer seeks to help shoppers come into the centre and Belfast as a whole.
“It is the first of a range of initiatives we will be developing over the coming weeks as we, on behalf our retail partners and other stakeholders, continue to highlight that CastleCourt and Belfast are open for business.”
