Rushmere Shopping Centre’s commitment to adding new stores and a multimillion-pound makeover has helped drive visitor numbers to a new lifetime record, with the number of shoppers visiting the complex up 35 per cent in 2025 to 10.5 million.
A record 1.5 million shoppers arrived in December alone, an increase of 9.4% over the same period last year, as a busy programme of on-mall entertainment and an enhanced Christmas grotto experience helped draw in the record crowds.
Northern Ireland’s largest shopping complex, which was acquired from administration in 2023 by Killahoey Limited, a joint venture between companies Sheephaven and May Street Capital, has since added 15 new stores and invested over £12 million as part of an ambitious customer-focused transformation plan.
Rushmere Centre Manager, Martin Walsh, said:
“Although the overall retail market continues to face significant challenges, Rushmere is enjoying a new and unprecedented period of strong growth thanks to our commitment to new store openings and our investment in delivering a premium, enjoyable shopping experience.
“While cost-of-living and inflationary pressures remain, our research shows that our visitors not only value the wide and growing variety of retail available but the huge investments we’ve made in our facilities to enhance the overall shopping experience and in developing a calendar of family-friendly events and activities.
“As the perceptions of Rushmere have improved, so too have footfall and spend and we’re delighted to record 10.5 million visits in 2025, the highest in our history. This year, we’re also looking forward to announcing new signings which will further add to our unrivalled retail destination offer.”
Rushmere, which spans half a million square feet when combined with the retail park – now employs a record 1,400 staff across the centre and its adjacent retail park. Based in Craigavon, Rushmere is now host to more than 70 major local, national and international brands.
Since the acquisition, Rushmere has added a record number of new tenants with 15 new standalone stores operating at the centre.
Savills’ Director, Paul Wilson, who manages lettings at the complex, said:
“With a commitment for growth and significant investment, Rushmere continues to enjoy strong demand for physical retail presence which has grown momentum as visitor numbers have increased. It’s a real testament to the resilient and dynamic retail environment which this unrivalled shopping destination offers.
“Retailers are reinvesting in bricks-and-mortar, turning shops into destinations where customers don’t just buy – they belong. Rushmere has got it right and I’m delighted by the transformative success achieved to date.”
Plans for a £9 million Lidl Northern Ireland store located adjacent to the centre were approved last year ahead of an expected opening later this year, which will further add to numbers frequenting Rushmere.
As part of its major push to net zero, Rushmere also became Northern Ireland’s most sustainable shopping centre with an upgraded EPC certification and new EPC B rating – the only major standalone retail complex to achieve this. Initiatives include a new lighting design using LED systems with smart lighting controls that significantly reduce energy consumption, the installation of air source heat pumps to regulate heating and cooling of common areas and reduce overall energy usage, and new hot water systems to reduce energy loss and avoid large volumes of water storage losses.