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01/11/2022
Primark Officially Reopens Flagship Bank Building Store
Primark has officially reopened its flagship store in Belfast's Bank Building following an investment of £100 million.
Officially opened by the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tina Black the newly refurbished store represents an investment of £100 million to renovate and restore this iconic building in the centre of Belfast city and bring it back to its full glory, as part of Primark's ongoing commitment to Northern Ireland
The retailer has created almost 300 new jobs at the bigger and better Primark store, including permanent and temporary seasonal positions, which will provide a significant boost to the local economy. This brings the total number of employees at Primark Bank Buildings to 500, making it one of the biggest retail employers in the city.
Shoppers queued from the early hours of Tuesday morning to be first through the doors of the newly refurbished five-storey retail space in the heart of Belfast city centre, which opened its doors to customers this morning at 10am.
Commenting at the reopening of Bank Buildings, Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Tina Black said: "It's really wonderful to be here today to see the reopening of this iconic Belfast building. As a former Primark employee myself, I have many happy memories of working here during my university years, and now a new chapter begins for the staff. When the fire devastated Bank Buildings back in 2018, it was hard to imagine ever reaching this point; but over the last few years, we've witnessed the painstaking work that has gone in to restoring this beautiful heritage building and like everyone, I'm thrilled to see it reopen its doors today, with the added boost of creating new jobs.
"While the fire was undoubtedly a devastating event for our city and businesses, it also marked something of a watershed moment because it brought together elected members and city partners to work together to find solutions. Over the last number of years, we have been able to trial new ideas and initiatives to support recovery and regeneration, and I know that partnership working will continue in the weeks and months ahead."
Today's reopening is a poignant moment for Primark, and the city of Belfast, following the August 2018 fire that gutted the interior of the 237-year-old heritage listed building and left the feature façade badly damaged. Over the past four years, major building renovation works were undertaken by Primark with the support of hundreds of crafts and tradespeople, including over 40 expert stone masons from across the UK and Ireland, who were tasked with carving new stone works and repairing existing stone as part of the restoration. All the stone and marble on the building's new façade was sourced from quarries in Finland, Scotland and Portugal, the same quarries from where the materials for the original structure were sourced in the 18th century.
Primark Northern Ireland Area Manager Jacqui Byers added: "Today is a great celebration, not only for Primark, but for all of Belfast following years of hard work to recover and rebuild Bank Buildings. It is fantastic to have reached this day and return to our home in Belfast, bringing our colleagues back together under one roof with a store that is bigger and better than ever before.
"As we finally reopen, we wish to thank our colleagues, customers, the business community, and the wider city of Belfast once again for their continued support over the past four years. Restoring Bank Buildings has been a passion project for Primark, completed in partnership with the wider city of Belfast and our amazing team of crafts and tradespeople - it has been a true team effort. This is a proud moment for us, and it is a testament to every individual involved that we welcome shoppers back today."
Returning to its original site in Belfast City Centre, Primark Bank Buildings has now merged with the existing Castle Street store to create a new flagship store, which is 76% bigger in size compared to the original site. The store features 88,200 sq. ft. of fantastic retail space, including a brand-new immersive Disney experience, the first of its kind in a Primark store setting, where customers will find a Primark Café with Disney, Disney photo moments, and a dedicated Disney department for adults, kids and homeware, all located on the second floor of the store.
The store will also feature a new nail and beauty studio for customers, operated by Nails™, and a new fifth floor space which is home to a brand-new Home department offering Primark's full homeware range of accessories, bedding and small furniture to customers in Belfast for the first time.
Customers can also shop the full range of Autumn Winter trends, partywear, Christmas gifting ideas and its great value essentials across women's, men's, kids' and homeware, beauty, and accessories all in one place at Primark Bank Buildings.
Committed to investing further in Northern Ireland, Primark also recently confirmed details of the opening of its brand-new store in Rushmere Shopping Centre, Craigavon, which will open its doors on Friday 16th December to customers and will be the retailer's 9th store in Northern Ireland.
Officially opened by the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Tina Black the newly refurbished store represents an investment of £100 million to renovate and restore this iconic building in the centre of Belfast city and bring it back to its full glory, as part of Primark's ongoing commitment to Northern Ireland
The retailer has created almost 300 new jobs at the bigger and better Primark store, including permanent and temporary seasonal positions, which will provide a significant boost to the local economy. This brings the total number of employees at Primark Bank Buildings to 500, making it one of the biggest retail employers in the city.
Shoppers queued from the early hours of Tuesday morning to be first through the doors of the newly refurbished five-storey retail space in the heart of Belfast city centre, which opened its doors to customers this morning at 10am.
Commenting at the reopening of Bank Buildings, Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Tina Black said: "It's really wonderful to be here today to see the reopening of this iconic Belfast building. As a former Primark employee myself, I have many happy memories of working here during my university years, and now a new chapter begins for the staff. When the fire devastated Bank Buildings back in 2018, it was hard to imagine ever reaching this point; but over the last few years, we've witnessed the painstaking work that has gone in to restoring this beautiful heritage building and like everyone, I'm thrilled to see it reopen its doors today, with the added boost of creating new jobs.
"While the fire was undoubtedly a devastating event for our city and businesses, it also marked something of a watershed moment because it brought together elected members and city partners to work together to find solutions. Over the last number of years, we have been able to trial new ideas and initiatives to support recovery and regeneration, and I know that partnership working will continue in the weeks and months ahead."
Today's reopening is a poignant moment for Primark, and the city of Belfast, following the August 2018 fire that gutted the interior of the 237-year-old heritage listed building and left the feature façade badly damaged. Over the past four years, major building renovation works were undertaken by Primark with the support of hundreds of crafts and tradespeople, including over 40 expert stone masons from across the UK and Ireland, who were tasked with carving new stone works and repairing existing stone as part of the restoration. All the stone and marble on the building's new façade was sourced from quarries in Finland, Scotland and Portugal, the same quarries from where the materials for the original structure were sourced in the 18th century.
Primark Northern Ireland Area Manager Jacqui Byers added: "Today is a great celebration, not only for Primark, but for all of Belfast following years of hard work to recover and rebuild Bank Buildings. It is fantastic to have reached this day and return to our home in Belfast, bringing our colleagues back together under one roof with a store that is bigger and better than ever before.
"As we finally reopen, we wish to thank our colleagues, customers, the business community, and the wider city of Belfast once again for their continued support over the past four years. Restoring Bank Buildings has been a passion project for Primark, completed in partnership with the wider city of Belfast and our amazing team of crafts and tradespeople - it has been a true team effort. This is a proud moment for us, and it is a testament to every individual involved that we welcome shoppers back today."
Returning to its original site in Belfast City Centre, Primark Bank Buildings has now merged with the existing Castle Street store to create a new flagship store, which is 76% bigger in size compared to the original site. The store features 88,200 sq. ft. of fantastic retail space, including a brand-new immersive Disney experience, the first of its kind in a Primark store setting, where customers will find a Primark Café with Disney, Disney photo moments, and a dedicated Disney department for adults, kids and homeware, all located on the second floor of the store.
The store will also feature a new nail and beauty studio for customers, operated by Nails™, and a new fifth floor space which is home to a brand-new Home department offering Primark's full homeware range of accessories, bedding and small furniture to customers in Belfast for the first time.
Customers can also shop the full range of Autumn Winter trends, partywear, Christmas gifting ideas and its great value essentials across women's, men's, kids' and homeware, beauty, and accessories all in one place at Primark Bank Buildings.
Committed to investing further in Northern Ireland, Primark also recently confirmed details of the opening of its brand-new store in Rushmere Shopping Centre, Craigavon, which will open its doors on Friday 16th December to customers and will be the retailer's 9th store in Northern Ireland.
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10 August 2022
Primark To Reopen Flagship Belfast Store In November
Primark has announced that their flagship Belfast store at the Bank Buildings in the city centre will re-open in November, four years after the city centre building was gutted in a fire. The clothing retailer has said that the building has undergone extensive rebuilding and restoration work.
Primark To Reopen Flagship Belfast Store In November
Primark has announced that their flagship Belfast store at the Bank Buildings in the city centre will re-open in November, four years after the city centre building was gutted in a fire. The clothing retailer has said that the building has undergone extensive rebuilding and restoration work.
06 November 2018
Primark Announces Reopening Date For Belfast Store
Primark has revealed it will reopen its Belfast store on 08 December. The retailer will open the extension at the back of Bank Buildings for business, following the devastating blaze in August. A company spokesperson also confirmed plans for a new store in Fountain House, the current home of New Look. It is planned to open in Spring 2019.
Primark Announces Reopening Date For Belfast Store
Primark has revealed it will reopen its Belfast store on 08 December. The retailer will open the extension at the back of Bank Buildings for business, following the devastating blaze in August. A company spokesperson also confirmed plans for a new store in Fountain House, the current home of New Look. It is planned to open in Spring 2019.
26 October 2018
Primark To Open New Belfast Store
Primark has announced it is planning to open a store in Belfast city centre later this year. The retailer has said it will open in Commonwealth House on Castle Street in December. It comes after the company was granted permission to commence work on the badly damaged Bank Buildings in Belfast.
Primark To Open New Belfast Store
Primark has announced it is planning to open a store in Belfast city centre later this year. The retailer has said it will open in Commonwealth House on Castle Street in December. It comes after the company was granted permission to commence work on the badly damaged Bank Buildings in Belfast.
28 August 2018
Major Fire At Belfast's Primark Store
Update: Police have now closed Royal Avenue in Belfast City Centre as Northern Ireland Fire And Rescue Service continue to try and bring the fire under control. Video footage from the scene reveals that fire appears to be on the roof of the building. There are no reports of any injuries and the public are being encouraged to avoid the area.
Major Fire At Belfast's Primark Store
Update: Police have now closed Royal Avenue in Belfast City Centre as Northern Ireland Fire And Rescue Service continue to try and bring the fire under control. Video footage from the scene reveals that fire appears to be on the roof of the building. There are no reports of any injuries and the public are being encouraged to avoid the area.
10 September 2018
Primark Building Covered By Insurance
The cost to replace the Primark store in Belfast which was destroyed in a fire will be covered by insurance, according to the retailer's owner Associated British Foods (AB Foods). The front of the building was being restored and refurbished at an estimated cost of £30 million, however it was destroyed in a blaze last month.
Primark Building Covered By Insurance
The cost to replace the Primark store in Belfast which was destroyed in a fire will be covered by insurance, according to the retailer's owner Associated British Foods (AB Foods). The front of the building was being restored and refurbished at an estimated cost of £30 million, however it was destroyed in a blaze last month.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
