CONVENIENCE retailer, Centra is to open its eagerly awaited Belfast waterfront store next week, creating 15 jobs.
The new £767,000 store located within City Quays 2, is a joint investment by Centra owners, Musgrave and the Belfast-based Gracey family.
The 2,615 sq ft outlet is the first convenience store to open at the City Quays development and within the wider Clarendon Dock area, which are home to a combined 5,000 workers.
City Quays will eventually provide jobs and homes for 13,000 people, with City Quays 2 accommodating 1,000 staff.
The Centra City Quays store, which opens on Tuesday, features amenities such as; Frank & Honest Coffee, a Green Kitchen hot and cold deli, as well as a Mex-a-go Burrito Bar
The new store also features a seating area and complimentary Wi-Fi, providing customers with a dedicated space to dine-in and take a break. A covered terrace for waterfront dining is another feature of the store, which is the latest addition to the Gracey family portfolio.
Next week's opening builds on the family estate, which already includes two Belfast Mace stores at Newtown Park and The Gasworks. The family business, which once spanned 10 stores, was established by, Tony Gracey over two decades ago and today his son Stephen and daughter Anna McErlean are at the helm.
Ms McErlean said they are proud to add another store to the family business portfolio.
“Our father Tony has decided to take more of a back seat, with Stephen and I now at the forefront of the business today. Together we are proud to mark another milestone as we open our new Centra store at City Quays, bringing significant investment to the local area. We are proud of our roots in the Belfast retail space and are proud to bring further employment to the city.”
Centra sales director, Nigel Maxwell said they are delighted to support the Gracey family in the exciting new venture.
“We are confident that our new look Centra stores offer customers an enhanced shopping experience, where they can get value for money, without compromising on quality. We are sure this new look store will be a great addition to City Quays, which features a vibrant business and residential community," he said.
Graeme Johnston, Belfast Harbour’s property director added:
“With over 5,000 workers already based in the area, further offices underway and the Marriott hotel now open, this is a significant opportunity for Centra.
“As part of the procurement process to secure a retailer we surveyed existing workers in City Quays. They wanted access to a wide range of quality, fresh produce that supported healthier lifestyles – Centra’s modern take on convenience and coffee was a perfect fit.
“City Quays has already become a natural extension of the City Centre. With the waterfront walkway and attractions such as the Marriott hotel and now Centra, we expect even greater numbers of people to visit and enjoy this new part of Belfast.”
