Blackpool Shopping centre completes €2.5m upgrade

John Hartnett, Centre Manager, Blackpool​; Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr. Damian Boylan​; Stephen Green, Patron Capital​; Roger Dineen, Lugus Capital​ with EU Commissioner, Michael McGrath pictured at the official relaunch of Blackpool Shopping Centre following the completion of a major multimillion-euro refurbishment. Picture: Alison Miles / OSM PHOTO

Cork's Blackpool Shopping Centre has completed a €2.5m investment programme carrying out a range of upgrades to the development.

Joint venture partners Patron Capital and Lugus Capital backed the upgrade works, including new flooring, improved lighting, new bulkheads and signage and enhancements across public areas. 

The companies said the completion of the works marks a significant new chapter for the Cork retail destination and the wider northside community, creating a modern environment capable of attracting new retailers and customers. The ownership partnership also intends to position the location as one integrated destination offering retail, food, services and leisure.

Open for more than 25 years, the shopping centre and retail park accommodates more than 60 businesses supporting more than 1,900 jobs. Recent new additions to the shopping district include JYSK, Eason, Kerry Hanaphy, The Pantry and Box’d coffee.

The investment comes at a time of wider planned development in the area, including the new railway station at Kilbarry, which will increase public transport connectivity for Blackpool.

On Friday, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, Michael McGrath officially opened the upgraded shopping centre. "For more than 25 years, Blackpool Shopping Centre has been part of the fabric of life in Cork, serving generations of families and providing an important hub for local employment and enterprise. Investment on this scale will help ensure that the Centre continues to play that role into the future - supporting jobs, creating opportunities for retailers and businesses, and providing a high-quality environment for the thousands of people who visit and use the Centre every week.” 

Roger Dineen, Head of Asset Management Lugus Capital, said: “The rationale for this investment has been to protect the centre’s strengths while improving the environment in which our retailers operate and our customers shop. The refurbishment is the most visible part of that programme, but our ambition goes beyond the physical improvements. We want to continue strengthening the tenant mix, attracting new brands and creating a destination that can perform strongly for the long term.” 

Stephen Green, Senior Partner, Patron Capital, said: “Blackpool has an established place within the Cork retail market and, importantly, within its local community. Together with Lugus Capital, we saw an opportunity to make an impactful investment in the centre, enhance the quality of the environment and position it strongly for its next phase of growth.

“The work completed to date is a clear demonstration of that strategy in action. We believe there is further potential to be realised at Blackpool and remain committed to working with Lugus and the wider team to support the centre’s continued development.”