35 years ago this month, Belfast took a major step towards a brighter future when the city centre’s flagship shopping mall opened its doors. Since April 1990, CastleCourt has been a cornerstone of ‘the high street’ and a key part of Belfast life.
Home to 61 retailers, 13 food outlets, and The Avenue cinema – named after the picture house that once stood on the same site almost 100 years ago, CastleCourt has evolved in recent years, welcoming TK Maxx, New Look, Starbucks and most recently London fashion house, Vanilla.
To celebrate this milestone, CastleCourt welcomed thousands of visitors to celebrate, hosting a vibrant three-day event over the Easter weekend. The festivities included character meet-and-greets, magic shows, live music and giveaways, as well as free cake and entertainment for customers.
CastleCourt Centre Manager, Leona Barr, said: “We were the first of our kind to open in the city centre back in the ‘90s, and it was a huge commitment to Belfast at a time when there was still some unrest and challenges. We are so delighted to not only still be open but to be thriving alongside our tenants who make us the unique destination we are today.”
Martina Connolly, CEO, Belfast One Business Improvement District said:“CastleCourt has served as a place to meet, a place to shop and a place that set the intentions of a bigger and better identity for Belfast. It has been a safe space for teenagers to meet with their friends, it has welcomed some of the most iconic brands that committed to our city back in the early days, and has built a bank of memories that many local Gen X and Millennials will still tell you about to this day. As CEO of Belfast One, and one of the generations of shoppers that have grown up with CastleCourt, I have witnessed the role the shopping centre has had in evolving our city centre.”
