Further details of Sports Direct opening in Athlone
Athlone Towncentre has announced that the Sports Direct store will open in the second or third quarter of this year.
It will occupy a 19,000 square foot space on the ground floor and will comprise the amalgamation of five retail units on a single floor.
Athlone Towncentre also confirmed that it is funding and undertaking the estimated €1 million refurbishment of the store and said the retail space is scheduled to open in Q2/Q3.
It said confirmation that Sports Direct, Europe’s biggest retailer of sports and fitness footwear, clothing and equipment, will become a new anchor tenant represents another significant boost for the local economy
Commenting on the Sports Direct development, Shirley Delahunt, Marketing Manager, Athlone Towncentre said: “We are delighted to welcome the imminent arrival of Sports Direct. This news represents an important boost for the local economy and will generate even bigger footfall into the town with customers attracted by major brands such as Zara and H&M who are not available elsewhere in the Midlands / West of Ireland region.
"Overall, 2022 was a buoyant year for business here and concluded with retailers reporting brisk Christmas business. From the very start, our ambition has been to become the leading shopping destination in the region – Sports Direct joining us in 2023 consolidates that position in addition to Zara, H&M, TK Maxx, M&S, River Island, NEXT and Eason available here under one roof.”
A programme of ongoing investment in Athlone Towncentre continues apace. Currently, a multi-million euro mechanical & electrical retrofit project is underway in the shopping centre and car park where the owners are investing a significant proportion of this cost. The project involves the replacement of various items of plant and equipment with modern energy efficient alternatives. It includes the replacement of the entire lighting system with LED’s (3,000 individual light fittings).
On its completion, this project is anticipated to reduce lighting energy consumption by over 50%. In addition, a Toilet Refurbishment programme of the shopping centre public toilets is in the pipeline for this quarter and is at the final stages of design.
Alan Shaw, President of Athlone Chamber of Commerce said: “It's very welcome news to hear from Athlone Towncentre that Sports Direct will open there in 2023, generating new jobs and new revenue for the economy here. I've no doubt that customers will respond positively to their arrival and we look forward to Sports Direct opening its doors."
The stores Quiz and Art & Hobby are relocating within Athlone Towncentre to facilitate the amalgamation of the new Sports Direct store. The letting agents are Cushman & Wakefield and Bannon.