The Mall Shopping Centre in Armagh is celebrating a significant milestone, operating at close to full capacity following the recent opening of Specsavers. This latest addition of Specsavers, coupled with the arrivals of Faith Jewellers and Hays Travel, solidifies The Mall’s position as a premier retail destination in the heart of Armagh.
The Mall, acquired by Turkington in 2023, boasts approximately 63,000 sq ft of prime retail space anchored by a 49,000 sq ft Sainsbury’s. Managed by CBRE NI, the centre is also home to popular high street brands like Semi-Chem and Hallmark, offering a diverse shopping experience.
With 398 dedicated on-site parking spaces, The Mall prioritises convenience for its shoppers. The new 2,000 sq. ft Specsavers store represents a £650,000 investment by local store partners Colm Campbell and JP Rice, who also oversee Specsavers locations in Portadown and Craigavon.
This expansion brings the total number of Specsavers stores in Northern Ireland to 24 and creates twelve new jobs for the local community, with sisters Darina McArdle and Alanna McArdle leading as store manager and lead optometrist, respectively.
Stephen Smith, associate director at CBRE NI, emphasised the strategic importance of Specsavers’ arrival. “The arrival of Specsavers marks the successful culmination of a targeted asset management strategy which has seen the Mall centre go from strength to strength throughout the past year,”
“Retail occupancy levels across Northern Ireland’s prime regional centres have held up well, particularly in schemes that offer strong footfall, accessibility and essential services.
With a strong tenant mix, The Mall continues to meet the evolving needs of both retailers and consumers.”
Colm Campbell, ophthalmic director at Specsavers Craigavon, Portadown, and Armagh, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Our decision to open a new store in Armagh reflects our confidence in the city and our commitment to meeting the growing demand for accessible eye and hearing care.
“The Mall offers a well-connected, convenient location for our customers, and we’re excited to bring our expert team and services to the heart of the local community.”
Specsavers store manager Darina McArdle and lead optometrist Alanna McArdle with local store partners JP Rice and Colm Campbell, who also own and run Specsavers Portadown and Craigavon stores