Northern Ireland’s largest retail complex, Rushmere Shopping Centre, welcomed a record number of shoppers last month (November) and expects 10 million visitors through the doors in 2025 following a multimillion-pound transformation and the addition of 13 new stores.
Footfall in November was up more than 30% on last year, fuelled by a resurgence in demand from consumers craving a premium onsite retail experience and an unrivalled, expansive choice of big-name brands, Rushmere said.
Rushmere, which was acquired early last year by Killahoey Limited, a joint venture between Northern Ireland based companies Sheephaven and May Street Capital, has witnessed a remarkable turnaround this year – surpassing pre-pandemic footfall rates despite a challenging retail environment and economic uncertainty.
Rushmere, which is based in Craigavon near Portadown and located just 30 minutes from Belfast, said its investment strategy had breathed new life in the traditional shopping experience, underscoring the resilience of ‘bricks and mortar’ retail.
Footfall in November was up more than 30% on last year, fuelled by a resurgence in demand from consumers craving a premium onsite retail experience and an unrivalled, expansive choice of big-name brands, Rushmere said.
Rushmere, which was acquired early last year by Killahoey Limited, a joint venture between Northern Ireland based companies Sheephaven and May Street Capital, has witnessed a remarkable turnaround this year – surpassing pre-pandemic footfall rates despite a challenging retail environment and economic uncertainty.
Rushmere, which is based in Craigavon near Portadown and located just 30 minutes from Belfast, said its investment strategy had breathed new life in the traditional shopping experience, underscoring the resilience of ‘bricks and mortar’ retail.
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LifestyleTranscript
00:00Since being bought over in February 2024, Rushmere has enjoyed a multi-million pounds
00:12investment and 13 new tenants, £10 million invested by the owners on enhancing the scheme
00:18and a further £10 million invested by the tenants on fitting out their new stores.
00:22The improvements at Rushmere include brand new state-of-the-art facilities for our customers,
00:27including new customer toilets, ceiling and lighting and flooring, and a plush new seating
00:33area with soft furnishings and lighting for relaxation.
00:37Shoppers have reacted overwhelmingly positive, which demonstrates the resurgence of bricks
00:41and mortar retail, given that we continue to deliver the right environment and the right
00:45retail mix.
00:46The vision for Rushmere in 2025 is to deliver a record 10 million visitors to the scheme
00:51and we expect customers to continue voting with their feet.
00:54This is just the start and we have many more exciting plans afoot.