'We are pleased to be opening a new 15,000 sq. ft Sports Direct store, located in Ards Shopping Centre'

Ards shopping centre in Newtownards will this week welcome Sports Direct, just in time for the Christmas rush.

The leading international retailer of sports and fitness footwear, clothing and equipment is set to open on December 11.

Moving into a 15,000 sq. ft unit, shoppers visiting the new Sports Direct store will have access to some of the world’s leading sports and leisure brands, including Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, Puma and ASICS as well as specialist sporting areas set out for running, football, and outdoor, across men’s, women’s and kidswear. The store will also house brands from the Frasers Group’s ecosystem, including GAME, USC and Jack Wills, providing shoppers with an even stronger retail offering.

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Gary Martin, director of retail agency at Lambert Smith Hampton, said: “Ards Shopping Centre is trading well and will benefit from a high footfall over the next few weeks with shoppers getting ready for Christmas.

"Sports Direct provides a fantastic new addition to the shopping centre line up and we’re confident the investment into the store will add to the shopping centre’s appeal and complement existing retailers.

“I’m also really pleased to be able to announce that long term leases have been renewed for Primark, Superdrug and Poundland giving longevity to the Ard Shopping Centre retail offering.”

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A spokesperson for Frasers Group, added: “We are pleased to be opening a new 15,000 sq. ft Sports Direct store, located in Ards Shopping Centre. The store will offer customers the world’s best sports and lifestyle brands, as well as bring other brands from Frasers Group’s ecosystem, including GAME, USC and Jack Wills, to the location.”

Sports Direct, which is part of Frasers Group, will join well-known brands such as TK Maxx, Primark, River Island and Argento, and will be the latest tenant to join the centre’s extensive retail offering.

Ard’s Shopping Centre is managed by Lambert Smith Hampton on behalf of the landlord, Comer Group.