Belfast city center has undergone growth in recent years leading to a more commercialized shopping area. It wasn't that long ago that many big name companies simply wouldn't bring their businesses to Belfast, what with the troubles and all. More stable times have brought a huge variety of shops, supermarkets and malls back to the streets of Belfast.
As far as city centers go Belfast's is not that big, it is centralized in a number of key streets that house most of the big brand companies. These key streets are Royal avenue, Chichester street and high street. There are many other adjoining streets that 'feed' off these, and also house any number of shops and shopping areas.
Royal avenue is by far the most commercialized street in belfast, in it you would find most of the high street chains that you would in any other major city. Some of these include Tescos, Virgin, JJb, Cult clothing,
Phones 4 u, The Levi store, Boots, Top-shop, Primark, The Disney store. There are too many to simply mention them all, but i think you get the picture.
Royal Avenue also is host to CastleCourt, this is one of Belfast's main shopping complexes or 'malls' as known in the states. CastleCourt is one of the main shopping destinations in Northern Ireland. The centre opened in 1990 and is extremely popular achieving over 18 million customer visits a year. CastleCourt provides shopping for local residents and tourists with major stores including Debenhams, TK Maxx, Virgin Megastore, Burton, GAP, Boots and Dorothy Perkins. Personally im not too fond of indoor shopping centers, but CastleCourt is convenient for to get through to other side streets on a rainy day.
Before the onslaught of commercialization Belfast achieved most of its trade in shops on the high street and in small indoor markets. Today you can still find indoor markets such as Smithfield, St George's Market and The In-Shops.
Situated in West Street / Winetavern Street, Smithfield Market is located in the heart of Belfast's retail district. The Market is opposite the CastleCourt shopping complex which links into the Royal Avenue and Donegall Place shopping precincts. Smithfield has a range of retailers, selling a wide range of goods and services not always available on the 'high street', examples include leather working, picture framing, computer and games equipment, collectable comics, dressmaking services an art gallery and camping equipment, as well as shops which buy and sell pre owned electrical goods, musical instruments etc.
St George's market is one of Belfast's best known landmarks, it was recently refurbished at the cost of around 4.5 million pounds. The Market is now a prime venue for craft and antique markets, exhibitions, concerts and boxing events. One of Belfast's best restaurants, The Oxford Exchange on the first floor mezzanine area, is also housed within the market. The Friday market opens at 6-am every week and runs until approximately 1-pm. This is a hugely vibrant retail experience of market stalls selling diverse wares from apples and antiques to shark meat. The fish section contains fish stalls and has holds the reputation for being the leading retail fish market on the island of Ireland.
The IN-Shops is another example of an indoor market type area that belfast has to offer, certainly not a place for those that are looking for high street brands, this wouldn't be to everyones taste. Certainly the IN-Shops is quite dilapidated now, though you can find some gems amongst the rough for sure.
In general Belfast city center is not as big as a lot of other 'rival' cities, you wont get too lost though i am sure you will be able to find what you are looking for. Like i have stated there are a variety of 'off the high street' markets that would be sure to cater for those that are not fond of cuing up in somewhere like Argos. There are plans for future renovations and expansion of the shopping areas, Belfast is currently building another huge glassed shopping complex, this is due to be completed in 2007, the Victoria Square scheme will consist of 500,000sq ft of retail space. Im quite sure that this will be a welcome part of the expansion of Belfast shopping area when it finally arrives.
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Sep 15th, 2005
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