New £23m Lisburn Square complex opens

Lisburn Square, the £23 million retail and residential development in the heart of Lisburn which will create around 300 jobs, recently opened with a street party in the Square before the switching on of the Christmas lights by GMTV star Eamon Holmes.

Developed by urban regeneration specialists, Cusp, Lisburn Square is the only major shopping complex to open in Northern Ireland this year. It provides 24,000 sq. ft of retail, commercial and residential space, including 30 retail outlets, 45 apartments, office space and 210 underground car parking spaces.

Cusp has estimated that the development will create 300 full and part time jobs in Lisburn when all retail units are fully let.

Set around an attractive open public square in the centre of the town, Lisburn Square has been designed to reflect Ulster’s architectural heritage by using Victorian and Georgian inspired buildings. As an outstanding example of urban regeneration, Lisburn Square is also a major factor in Lisburn’s bid for city status.

Brian Henning, Chief Executive of Cusp said: “Lisburn Square is set to become the shopping and social heart of Lisburn with the introduction of a mix of top name retailers, bijou boutiques and new food outlets. This complex changes the recent trend for ‘out-of-town’ retail developments by bringing shoppers back into the town centre and giving people a place to live, work, eat, shop and relax in a single environment.”

With the population of Lisburn set grow by up to 160,000 in the next ten years the Lisburn Square development will also help to bring in shoppers from outside the Borough.

Mayor of Lisburn, Cllr Jim Dillon praised the new development for breathing life into the town centre and bringing more business into Lisburn: “This prestigious development will further enhance Lisburn with a new choice of retailing as well as adding to the town landscape. I’m sure that this will be a very successful venture and will be enjoyed by people both in the Borough and beyond.”

Lisburn Square has attracted a mix of retailers, among them are: Argos, Next, French Connection, DV8, Quiksilver, Part Two, Zeo America, Sports Connection, The Jean Scene, Argento, Gordon’s, Wetherspoons, Subway, Café Tazza and La Baguette de Jour.

Further announcements of lettings are expected in the coming weeks. (SP)