Editor's comment
Published: 10 November, 2006
Welcome to the biggest-ever edition of Shopping Centre Ireland, published to coincide with the BCSC conference and showcase, which takes place at Manchester's GMEX from November 6 to 8.
The Irish retail development industry is determined to make a big splash at this year's BCSC event. Last year, it took place in Belfast, and Irish agents and developers took a major slice of the exhibition space for the first time. It's significant that they are repeating the exercise on the other side of the Irish Sea.
Among the centres taking stands are Athlone Town Centre, Dublin Central, Dundrum, Charlestown, City Mart in Kilkenny, Junction One in Antrim, Blanchardstown and the Pavilions, Swords.
As we celebrate our first birthday it's worth looking at how the Irish shopping centre market has developed in the past year.
The past year's openings at Whitewater, Maynooth, Drogheda and Dundalk are bedding in well, although, inevitably, some will take longer than others to reach their full trading potential. And we've seen the biggest-ever shopping centre investment deal with Joe O'Reilly's purchase of the Pavilions at Swords. In the coming year, the pace of openings will ease.
In this issue, we look at the biggest scheme currently under construction, Athlone Town Centre, but it's probably a good thing that the development boom is pausing for breath.
Just one final thought: Isn't it time BCSC came to Dublin? It might need Treasury Holding's proposed convention centre at Spencer Dock to attract them, though.
Graham Parker Editor
