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News item

26 September 2005

Ireland’s premier and largest international factory outlet Junction One has announced the signing of market leader Nike.  Against competition from alternative sites throughout the rest of the UK and Europe Nike’s decision to locate its next factory store and its first in N. Ireland in Antrim’s Junction One continues the success achieved by Junction One in its first 16 months trading since its opening last year.

John Drummond, Director of Junction One explained: “Junction One opened  100% let and with a waiting list of potential tenants.  Since opening  through pro-active asset management we are enhancing the tenant mix, introducing new retail partners such as Ponden Mill, Samsonite, Thornton’s and Christy’s.  Our aim is to expand the depth and width of the customer offer for our country wide catchment population and consolidate our domination of the Northern Ireland market.  Research has shown that we are achieving those objectives and the recent opening of our new food and Adventure Island complex which includes over 8,000sq ft of children’s interior and exterior play zones with crèche facilities plus a larger unit for existing catering partner Subway who have relocated and a new catering partner Spudulike.

The 9,000 sq ft Nike Factory store will be located adjacent to anchor tenant Next and will open this week on 30th September 2005. The store will sell a full range of sportswear, accessories and equipment with a minimum of 30% off High Street prices. 

John Drummond continued: “The success brought about by over 3.5 million visitors to Phase I has enabled us to commence work on our Phase II extension which is programmed to open in  2006 ”.

When complete the additional 28 factory outlet units of Phase II, combined with the extensive leisure and retail park on the 60 acre site will position Junction One with over 305,000sq ft, 80 retail units and 10 catering units, as the second largest factory outlet centre in the UK behind Cheshire Oaks.

Jo Howard, Retail Area Manager, Nike, “Having thoroughly checked out the market place both here and abroad, researched all possible sites and looked at the target beating figures of the existing tenants the decision to locate our next factory outlet store at Junction One was very straightforward.  Junction One certainly ticks all our boxes and we are confident that it is going to be significant player in our global network.”

Opening on 30th September 2005, the Nike Factory store will create 25 full and part-time jobs.