Business

New £750k Tim Hortons Belfast drive-thru to open next week

Tim Hortons is to open its second outlet in the north next week at Connswater Shopping Centre
Tim Hortons is to open its second outlet in the north next week at Connswater Shopping Centre Tim Hortons is to open its second outlet in the north next week at Connswater Shopping Centre

CANADIAN coffee chain, Tim Hortons is to open its second outlet in the north next week, creating 50 jobs.

The new £750,000 restaurant and drive-thru will open at Connswater Shopping Centre on December 12 and is another boost to the centre after Mike Ashley-owned Sports Direct announced last week it will begin trading on the same day.

Tim Hortons opened its first Northern Ireland branch at Belfast's Fountain Street in May, but the new Connswater location is the first to feature a drive-thru option.

Laura McCarthy, senior property asset manager of Connswater owners, Alfred Street Properties welcomed the new tenant.

“We are very excited that Tim Hortons will be opening its first drive-thru in Ireland at Connswater Shopping Centre and Retail Park in the run up to Christmas," she said.

"We have already seen how popular the chain is in Belfast and we know that it will be a great addition to our growing retail, food and beverage and leisure offering.”

Kevin Hydes, chief finance and commercial officer of the Tim Hortons franchise in the UK added:

“When we opened our first Belfast restaurant in May, we were completely blown away by the excitement and the wonderful welcome from the people of Belfast. We are now thrilled to be opening our first drive thru site on Connswater Retail Park and can't wait to open our doors.”

The Tim Hortons brand was founded by its namesake, a professional ice hockey player, who wanted to create a space where everyone would feel at home. Fast forward to 2018, nearly eight out of 10 cups of coffee sold across Canada are served at Tim Hortons restaurants and more than 5.3 million Canadians – approximately 15 per cent of the population – visit the café daily.

In the UK there are currently 19 restaurants, with a further two, including Connswater, to open before Christmas