Around 100 jobs have been added at Belfast’s CastleCourt in the last year, including 15 resulting from the return of discounter TK Maxx, the shopping centre has said.
The centre said two Northern Ireland-owned businesses, Jacqueline Rooney Art and Rhiannon Cakes & Bakes, had opened in recent weeks.
And the return of TK Maxx last Thursday, in part of the space vacated by Debenhams when it shut three years ago, has meant the relocation of 65 existing staff, and 15 new positions.
A spokesperson said there had now been 12 store openings in the last 12 months at the centre, adding 100 jobs in total.
The shopping centre is owned by property firm Wirefox, based in Holywood, Co Down.
Jacqueline Rooney said: “Opening a city centre location is a dream come true and I’m delighted to be in amongst the hustle and bustle of CastleCourt.
“I already have a fantastic relationship with centre management who have engaged so well with me and my team, ensuring we get off to the best start possible, and sustaining our relationship for the future as we grow alongside their ambitions for the centre.”
Rhiannon Cakes & Bakes now has a permanent home in the food court at the shopping centre, after operating from a concession on the ground floor.
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Leona Barr, centre manager at CastleCourt, added: “The relocation of TK Maxx back to CastleCourt has been a great success, with heightened footfall over the opening weekend.
“We’re delighted to welcome the store back to where it first opened in the city centre, including some of the original staff members who worked in CastleCourt’s TK Maxx in 1995.
“The continued investment by Wirefox ensures CastleCourt remains competitive and an attractive outlet for our tenants, which is evidenced in the opening of Jacqueline Rooney Art and Rhiannon Cakes & Bakes taking a permanent site at our busy food court.
“We welcome all of our new and returning retailers to what will be a busy remainder of the year and beyond at CastleCourt shopping centre.”
Gareth Howell, property director at Wirefox, added: “We continue to make significant in-roads into filling the space left vacant by the closure of Debenhams, and welcome TK Maxx back to CastleCourt as a significant part of that process.”