Fairhill Shopping Centre

Fairhill Shopping Centre is a shopping centre located in Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It contains over 30 stores and a food court and has parking for over 1,100 cars in a multi-storey car park. It is open Monday to Wednesday and Saturday from 9:00am to 6:00pm, while on Thursday and Friday it is open from 9:00am to 9:00pm. Anchor tenants include Primark, Next, New Look and Marks & Spencer.[1]

History

Fairhill opened in 1991, its anchor tenants included Co-op and Marks & Spencer. During the years, M&S expanded its store, Co-op closed its store in 2002 with BHS and a subsidiary of Arcadia Group opening in its former space.[2][3]

In 2007, Debenhams opened its first Desire fashion store in the centre. In the same year, the upstairs of the centre became a food court.[4]

The former landlords of the Centre, Corbo Ltd, confirmed in 2009 that BHS would be closing, the unit would undergo redevelopment before being handed over to Next and New Look. Both stores opened in the same year.[5]

In 2021, Debenhams closed down its store in the centre. In the same year, property groups Magell and Melcorpo Group acquired the centre from Patrizia SE.[6]

Two years later, it was confirmed that Primark would open a store in the former Debenhams, which would be demolished, part of the centre (which housed retailers like River Island) was demolished as well, downsizing the centre slightly and losing an entrance. The store opened on 5 December 2025, relocating from the nearby Tower Centre.[7][8]

In February 2025, it was announced that the centre would be receiving a £10m revamp in preparation for Primark opening, removing the high street theme of the centre and making it more modern, a rebrand and new stores were also announced.[9]

Rail access

References

  1. ^ "Fairhill Shopping Centre". Fairhill website. Retrieved 22 December 2008.
  2. ^ "Fairhill changes to bring 200 jobs". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 10 June 2003. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  3. ^ "Fond farewell after 19 years' service". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 21 April 2009. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
  4. ^ "Desire by Debenhams takes first site in Ireland". Shopping-centre. 19 February 2007. Archived from the original on 23 July 2008. Retrieved 22 December 2008.
  5. ^ McGlade, Michael (22 October 2008). "Bhs to close Fairhill store". Ballymena Times.
  6. ^ "Fairhill Shopping Centre acquisition completes". Belfast News Letter. 25 August 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
  7. ^ Mullan, By Damian (2 May 2023). "Primark to open new store in Ballymena". www.colerainechronicle.co.uk. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  8. ^ Ballymena, Love (5 December 2025). "Primark opens £5m Ballymena store at Fairhill, creating 70 new jobs for Christmas". Love Ballymena. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
  9. ^ McLaughlin, Sophie (10 February 2025). "NI shopping centre undergoing £10m transformation ahead of new Primark opening". Belfast Live. Retrieved 10 February 2025.

54°52′08″N 6°16′26″W / 54.869°N 6.274°W / 54.869; -6.274


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