Killultagh Estates Ltd is investing £6 million in a major extension and refurbishment programme of Connswater Shopping Centre in East Belfast. This will transform the already successful retail complex into a modern shopping experience. The new 40,000 sq ft extension to the shopping centre will be completed by Christmas 2008, creating 50 new jobs for the area.
The main entrance will be transformed into a modern glass structure which will provide a prominent modern entrance feature for the rejuvenated Connswater. An additional deck has already been added to the car park, creating a total of 850 free customer car parking spaces, including family friendly, disabled and taxi pick-up spaces adjacent to the shopping centre.
Connswater Shopping Centre Manager, Gerry Monaghan comments:
“The centre is undergoing a refurbishment programme to ensure our customers get the best service and thoroughly enjoy their shopping experience. Our customers are our number one priority and we hope that the upgrade of facilities provided by Connswater’s refurbishment, our opening times and our family friendly facilities will retain the great customer base Connswater already has and also attract additional customers to the centre.”
Existing retailers will continue to trade during the refurbishment, this has been carefully planned by the centre’s management team, to pose minimum disruption to customers over the duration of the project.
The revitalised shopping centre will boast an additional four self-contained retail units and include a state of the art food-court on its new first floor. The vibrant food-court will provide a mix of cuisines from five high street food brands, adding an extra dimension to the Connswater customer experience.
Tanya McKeown, from Colliers CRE, the managing agents for Connswater, said: “We are committed to working with Killultagh Estates Ltd to develop Connswater and retain its position as the leading local shopping centre. Connswater will be transformed into a high quality shopping destination with an improved retail and food offer. The extensive catchment population and high-quality customer profile are just two factors which have allowed Connswater to attract an excellent mix of major high street retailers and food brands.”
The newly refurbished Connswater Shopping Centre will continue to be anchored by the food giant Tesco and Dunnes Stores. The centre will be transformed using high quality materials, clean modern finishes, glazing and the latest in contemporary lighting design to create a fresh and exciting place to shop, eat and relax.