Bridgewater (formerly known as The Outlet Park) is a development in County Down, Northern Ireland, near Banbridge. It consists of a shopping outlet and retail park, along with outside areas including drive-thru's and petrol stations.
Bridgewater, Banbridge | |
|---|---|
Shopping outlet and retail park | |
| Built | 2004 |
| Location | Banbridge, County Down, Northern Ireland |
|---|---|
| Opening date | 2007 |
| Previous names | The Outlet (2007–2018) |
| Owner | Lotus Property |
| No. of stores and services | 77 |
| No. of anchor tenants | 2 |
| No. of floors | 1 |
| Website | https://the-boulevard.co.uk |
History
editThe Boulevard
editThe Boulevard opened in 2007 as The Outlet. the shopping outlet is a home to discount outlets for big-name fashion retailers. The site was derelict and struggled with footfall, with only a third of its units filled.[1]
In 2016, The Outlet was acquired by Lotus Property from its previous owner Ulster Bank, who acquired it from original owners GML Estates and Landsec.[2][3] Lotus invested in the struggling site to become one of the biggest leisure and shopping destinations in Northern Ireland. The investment included opening a 8 screen Omniplex cinema, a McDonald's drive-thru restaurant and an implementation of a glass roof. The Outlet was rebranded to The Boulevard in 2018.[4][5]
,_December_2009.JPG)
In 2024, another investment was announced, opening a Hollywood Bowl (the 2nd one in Northern Ireland) and an expansion of the area close to the Omniplex cinema, which will be redeveloped into a food and entertainment area. The development is expected to be finished by late 2025, subject to planning approval.[6]
Banbridge Retail Park
editIn 2014, the Bridgewater (then called The Outlet Park) development began to expand, with a new Tesco store opening, this site would later become Banbridge Retail Park when Home Bargains opened in 2016.[7][8]
In 2020 and 2022 respectively, The Range, Marks & Spencer and EZ Living Interiors were announced to be tenants of an expansion of the retail park. M&S and The Range opened in 2022 while EZ Living opened in 2023.[9][10][11]
In 2024, another expansion was announced, 5 retail units, 3 restaurants and a garden centre were announced to be added to the retail park.[12]
References
edit- ^ "Lotus spending £4m to give Outlet a make-over - and a roof". The Irish News. 2017-01-17. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
- ^ "Junction One and the Outlet retail parks to be sold for £40m". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 2016-01-12. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2024-10-26.
- ^ "Ulster Bank takes over Banbridge Outlet store". BBC News. 2011-06-13. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
- ^ "Lotus spending £4m to give Outlet a make-over - and a roof". The Irish News. 2017-01-17. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
- ^ "The Outlet in Banbridge set for rebrand as The Boulevard". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 2018-02-27. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
- ^ McLaughlin, Sophie (2024-07-31). "Hollywood Bowl to open in NI shopping outlet as part of £9m redevelopment". Belfast Live. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
- ^ https://www.northernirelandworld.com/news/new-banbridge-tesco-extra-store-opens-at-the-outlet-2261927.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ https://www.northernirelandworld.com/news/50-new-jobs-as-home-bargains-opens-its-largest-northern-ireland-store-in-banbridge-2141137.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ McKenna, Micheal (2020-08-25). "The Range plan to open massive 50,000 sq ft store could create up to 80 new jobs for borough". Armagh I. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
- ^ McKenna, Micheal (2021-04-30). "Yes for M&S..New £6m Food Hall and 'retail warehouse' in Banbridge up for approval". Armagh I. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
- ^ McKenna, Micheal (2022-08-19). "Huge jobs boost for Banbridge with plans for new drive-thru and popular home interiors store". Armagh I. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
- ^ https://www.newsletter.co.uk/business/planning-yes-for-major-ps55million-retail-park-expansion-in-banbridge-4716894.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help)