Leading fashion retailer DV8 is to open a new outlet in Belfast’s CastleCourt shopping centre this weekend.

The chain, which operates more than 40 shops across the UK and Ireland, will open its doors in the centre on Saturday in what is anticipated to be the first of several new stores to open in CastleCourt over the coming weeks.

DV8 was forced to temporarily close its other outlet in the city due to being located within the exclusion zone placed around the former Primark site following last month’s devastating fire.

Michael Wright, Director, Asset Management at CastleCourt owners Wirefox, said:

“CastleCourt remains one of Belfast’s premier shopping destinations and has remained open following the Primark fire.

“We are pleased to welcome DV8 to CastleCourt, further enhancing our offering in the branded fashion market and extending our CastleCourt portfolio to more than 100 retail partners.

“Although this letting was agreed before the Primark fire, we are delighted the timing has allowed DV8 to continue trading in Belfast in the crucial run up to Christmas.

“Discussions are continuing with other displaced retailers seeking alternative premises and we have supported others in providing meeting spaces and offering alternative retail options.”

Paul Wilson, Retailer Director at letting agent Savills, added:

“We very much welcome this new opening for DV8 which will be its second outlet in Belfast city centre including its Castle Place branch currently within the exclusion cordon.

“We are also in the closing stages of negotiations with a number of other retailers and will be announcing several new tenancies over the coming months.”

The opening comes as CastleCourt begins to roll out a strategy aimed at rejuvenating footfall into the Belfast city centre following the Primark fire.

On Saturdays and Sundays throughout September, parking charges at the centre have been reduced to £1 an hour.

Michael Wright added:

“CastleCourt has long been considered the natural gateway to the city centre and our car park offer seeks to help shoppers come into the centre and Belfast as a whole.

“It is the first of a range of initiatives we will be developing over the coming weeks as we, on behalf our retail partners and other stakeholders, continue to highlight that CastleCourt and Belfast are open for business.”