More than 1,000 people queued to be among the first inside a new Primark in Belfast, after a huge fire destroyed the original flagship store three months ago.
Belfast city centre was devastated by the blaze, which gutted the 118-year-old Bank Buildings in August. Nearby shops were forced to close, while other businesses struggled due to footfall in the area more than halving.
However, shoppers thronged the street before the store’s opening, with many travelling from across Northern Ireland to be among the first through its doors.
At the front of the queue was Jeanette Robb, from Craigavon, County Armagh, who said she was up at 4.45am to make sure she would be first in, and Danielle Wright, from Comber, County Down.
“I haven’t actually been to Belfast for shopping since the fire at the Primark store, it is not Belfast without Primark, I really missed it,” Robb said.
Wright, who arrived at 6.30am, said a trip to Primark in Belfast was an annual Christmas tradition. “We do this every year for our Christmas shopping, but this year it’s for the opening of Primark too.”
Further along the queue were Mary Craig and Tracey Sharvin, from Killough, County Down. “It’s the best Primark store there is, it’s worth waiting for,” Sharvin said.
Belfast’s lord mayor Deirdre Hargey also attended the opening and paid tribute to the city. “This is a great day for the city of Belfast particularly just before Christmas,” she said. “You could see the atmosphere with all the customers queuing up, but also the atmosphere among the staff inside, it was an emotional morning but also one of excitement.
“This will really help with footfall so I am really happy with this day, it shows the city’s resilience, we are bouncing back as a city, there is more work to be done, but this is great not just for Primark and its staff, but also for the surrounding traders particularly here in Castle Street.”
Primark estimated that about 1,100 people had been waiting, based on the number of goodie bags staff had handed out, and that it hoped the new store and the newly-built walkway would help restore footfall during the festive period.
The Irish retailer also plans to open a second store in the city centre on Donegall Place, where the retailer’s first Belfast store opened in 1975, next spring.
