THE building bought by Primark as its temporary Belfast city centre store needs a new tenant after the fast fashion giant moved back into its fully restored build Bank Buildings flagship outlet.
It’s understood Primark acquired Fountain House on Donegall Place in late 2018 in the wake of the fire which destroyed its landmark city centre store just down the street.
That deal precipitated New Look closing its flagship Belfast outlet in January 2019, with the loss of around 70 jobs.
It came during a period when New Look was enacting a series of closures and cross-company expenditure cuts under a company voluntary arrangement.
With Primark’s Bank Buildings store reopening after more than four years on November 1, Fountain House is now on the rental market.
Fountain House was built over 1935-1937, but was previously home to Moore House after James Moore’s printers and stationers, which dates back to the 1850s.
It was later occupied by Etam and Thornton's before a significant rennovation project was completed in 2007 with New Look moving in.
Savills have been tasked with finding a new unit for the large city centre unit.
The firm’s Belfast-based retail specialist, Paul Wilson, described the 46,500 sq ft building as an excellent opportunity for a substantial retailer to get a foothold in Belfast’s shopping core.
“Strategically located, Fountain House offers multi-level trading with the benefit of twin escalators linking each floor and a good quality inherent fit out having been refitted by Primark in 2019," he said.
“We are already pleased by the level of interest which has been stirred by the recent announcement of the planned reopening of Primark's Bank Buildings. This activity together with other key retailers opening in the city centre as well as Ulster University opening its eagerly awaited city centre campus is a huge boost to Belfast City Centre and its economic outlook.”
