Victoria Square Belfast has been named Retail Destination of the Year at the 2026 Sceptre Awards, while its Marketing Manager, Lauren Campbell, was named Marketing Manager of the Year.
The double win, announced at the prestigious national awards ceremony in London last week, marks a significant moment for Victoria Square and recognises the progress made by the destination following a challenging period.
The Sceptre Awards are among the leading awards in the UK shopping centre industry, celebrating excellence across retail destinations, management, marketing and customer experience.
The judges praised Victoria Square’s “impressive revival” following the loss of high-profile retailers and challenging media attention, highlighting the role of strategic vision, creative placemaking and teamwork in re-energising the destination.
Lauren Campbell was recognised for leading a bold omnichannel marketing strategy which, during a challenging time for Victoria Square, helped rebuild trust, re-energise the destination and deliver strong commercial results.
The awards come as Victoria Square continues to build momentum, with 21% growth in footfall and 11 new brands over the past 18 months. This progress has been supported by a focused leasing strategy, with new lettings secured by Lambert Smith Hampton in collaboration with Stuart Moncur of Savills, helping to strengthen the retail offer and further enhance the visitor experience.
Criona Collins, representing Lambert Smith Hampton, leasing and managing agent for Victoria Square, said: “Winning these two awards is a fantastic achievement and a real testament to the hard work and commitment of everyone involved in Victoria Square. The centre has faced significant challenges, but the team has continued to focus on strengthening the retail offer, creating compelling reasons for people to visit and building confidence in the destination. To see that work recognised at a national level is hugely rewarding, and we’re proud of how far Victoria Square has come. We look forward to building on this momentum and continuing to shape an exciting future for the centre.”
Julie King, Asset Manager at Commerz Real, owner of Victoria Square, said: “These awards are a fantastic recognition of the progress Victoria Square has made and the commitment of the team in driving the destination forward. The centre has faced some significant challenges, making this achievement all the more meaningful. We’re proud to see Victoria Square continuing to build momentum and strengthen its position as a leading retail and leisure destination in Belfast. These awards reflect the hard work, vision and determination that have gone into its ongoing success.”
The double recognition provides further momentum for Victoria Square as it continues to strengthen its position as Belfast’s leading retail and leisure destination.