A €500 million regional shopping centre featuring a four-star hotel, apartments and specialist shops was opened in Athlone, Co Westmeath, yesterday.
The Athlone Towncentre urban regeneration project was claimed by its developers to be among the five largest such urban redevelopment schemes in Europe.
Spanning 300,000sq ft over two levels, it features well-known chain store fashion outlets including Zara, H&M, Marks & Spencer, Next, Tommy Hilfiger and Esprit.
The centre also includes the first Irish store of French fashion chain Promod.
A number of "new concept" stores by Next, Virgin, Oasis and Fields are also located in the centre. The Sheraton Hotel, however, will not open until April. The centre expects to generate 1,250 jobs.
An estimated 15,000 people from the midlands were in Athlone yesterday for the opening of the centre, with a further 20,000 expected over the weekend.
The first person through the doors yesterday was Leah Lafferty from Athlone, who won a shopping spree at the new centre.
The centre was developed by Gallico Developments and built by JJ Rhatigan and Co. It was designed by Michael O'Carroll of Murray Ó Laoire architects.
John O'Sullivan of Gallico Developments said the new centre would give shoppers an alternative to "soulless" out-of-town shopping centres.
