Bridgewater, Banbridge

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Bridgewater, Banbridge
Shopping outlet and retail park
Built2004;21 years ago (2004)

Bridgewater (formerly known as The Outlet Park) is a major retail development in County Down, Northern Ireland, near Banbridge. It consists of a shopping outlet, retail park, drive-thru's and petrol stations.

Contents

The Boulevard
LocationBanbridge, County Down, Northern Ireland
Opening date2007;18 years ago (2007)
Previous namesThe Outlet (2007–2018)
OwnerTristan Capital Partners
Lotus Property
No. of stores and services77
No. of anchor tenants 2
No. of floors1
Website https://the-boulevard.co.uk

History

The Boulevard

The 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 Tristan Capital Partners and Lotus Property from its previous owner Ulster Bank, who acquired it from original owners GML Estates and Landsec. [2] [3] [4] Tristan and 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. [5] [6]

The Boulevard (then called The Outlet) in December 2009 Christmas shoppers at The Outlet Shopping Centre, Banbridge - geograph.org.uk - 3817102.jpg
The Outlet, Banbridge (01), December 2009.JPG
The Boulevard (then called The Outlet) in December 2009

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. [7]

In January 2025, Hollywood Bowl revitalised their plans, taking on a much larger footprint of the shopping outlet, taking on the former Ninja Boxx and Salt Kitchen units, with that area also being expanded. [8]

Banbridge Retail Park

In 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. [9] [10]

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. [11] [12] [13]

In 2024, another expansion was announced, 5 retail units, 3 restaurants and a garden centre were announced to be added to the retail park. [14]

The Gateway

The Bridgewater development expanded further in 2019 with the opening of a KFC restaurant, this area would be known as The Gateway. Like The Boulevard, the area is owned by Tristan Capital Partners and Lotus Property. [15] [16]

The area quickly expanded from 2023 to 2025, with a Go motorway service and coffee drive-thru, a Starbucks drive-thru and an electric car charging station powered by Fastned. [17] [18]

References

  1. ↑ "Lotus spending £4m to give Outlet a make-over - and a roof". The Irish News. 2017-01-17. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
  2. ↑ "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.
  3. ↑ "Ulster Bank takes over Banbridge Outlet store". BBC News. 2011-06-13. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
  4. ↑ "Junction One and the Outlet retail parks to be sold for £40m". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 2016-01-12. ISSN   0307-1235 . Retrieved 2025-02-15.
  5. ↑ "Lotus spending £4m to give Outlet a make-over - and a roof". The Irish News. 2017-01-17. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
  6. ↑ "The Outlet in Banbridge set for rebrand as The Boulevard". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 2018-02-27. ISSN   0307-1235 . Retrieved 2024-07-31.
  7. ↑ McLaughlin, Sophie (2024-07-31). "Hollywood Bowl to open in NI shopping outlet as part of £9m redevelopment". Belfast Live. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
  8. ↑ McKenna, Micheal (2025-01-25). "Famous Hollywood Bowl plans exciting 10-pin bowling leisure and entertainment complex in Banbridge". Armagh I. Retrieved 2025-02-01.
  9. ↑ "New Banbridge Tesco Extra store opens at the Outlet". NorthernIrelandWorld. 20 October 2014.
  10. ↑ "50 new jobs as Home Bargains opens its largest Northern Ireland store in Banbridge". NorthernIrelandWorld. 28 July 2016.
  11. ↑ 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.
  12. ↑ 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.
  13. ↑ 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.
  14. ↑ Cartmill, Claire (25 July 2024). "The plans are expected to almost double the size of the present site adding over 75,000 sq ft to the retail park". Belfast News Letter.
  15. ↑ "The Gateway, Banbridge, BT32 4LF | LoopNet".
  16. ↑ McKenna, Micheal (2020-06-06). "New £4m service station development along A1 will bring 25 new jobs to the borough". Armagh I. Retrieved 2025-02-15.
  17. ↑ "'The site is located approximately 115m east of the Boulevard shopping centre'". Belfast News Letter. 2024-06-11. Retrieved 2025-02-15.
  18. ↑ McKenna, Micheal (2023-06-19). "World-famous Starbucks coffee house to open new drive-thru at Banbridge". Armagh I. Retrieved 2025-02-15.

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