Designer outlet plans €15 million investment to double retail area

THE developers of an out-of-town discount retail outlet on the main route linking Dublin with Cork and Limerick have announced plans for a €15 million investment programme that will double the size of the centre.

AWG Property, the owner of the Rathdowney Designer Outlet in Co Laois, said the investment reflected the success of the centre, which opened three years ago and attracted more than 600,000 shoppers who spent over €60m last year.

The company, which is a subsidiary of publicly- quoted British property and utility group AWG, bought a 15-acre site next door to its existing location and expects the extension to be open for business before the summer of 2006.