14th June 2022
The Junction Retail and Leisure Park has extended its outdoor and surf-wear offering with the relocation and expansion of long-time tenant, Mountain Warehouse adding a dedicated section for lifestyle and surf brand, Animal.
The 5,602 sq ft store opened on Friday (10th June) offering a variety of womenswear, menswear, children’s clothing, footwear and accessories priced at 30% off RRP. Now located at the front of the scheme facing out to the car park, the expanded store has created 4 new jobs, adding to the current 14 strong team.
After acquiring Animal in 2021, Mountain Warehouse re-launched the classic surf brand online to great success and is now rolling the range out in stores.
Discount book and stationary retailer, The Works is also due to open a refreshed store at the scheme on 16th June creating 8 jobs. Under the renewed lease, the brand has relocated to a new 2,467 sq ft unit presenting an improved store concept with modernised features to enhance the customer experience.
The relocation and rejuvenation of the two stores represents a £400,000 investment and marks the beginning of the restructuring of the scheme to welcome Dobbies Garden Centre in Spring 2023. Planning was granted for the £10m project in March, which will see a 110,000 sq. ft store built, creating 100 full time and part time jobs and attracting an estimated one million additional visitors.
Chris Flynn, Centre Director at The Junction Retail and Leisure Park, said,
“Mountain Warehouse has been a long-time tenant of The Junction and we are excited that they have expanded their offering bringing an established and well loved brand to the scheme. The new dual store with Animal will benefit from being located enroute from Belfast to the surfing hotspots of the North Coast and with a host of outdoor and lifestyle brands on offer at the Junction, it has become a destination for the adventurer.
“This year has already seen growth throughout the scheme with many of our tenants, including The Works, refreshing their stores and taking up new locations within the scheme. We are anticipating more exciting news in the coming months as we prepare to welcome Dobbies next year.”
Mark Neale, Founder of Mountain Warehouse:
“We’re proud to have re-opened our Mountain Warehouse Antrim store at The Junction this summer, having added surf lifestyle brand Animal to the offering. We’re excited to share our passion for adventure and great value outdoor gear for all the family with this community.”
With a variety of high-quality outlets across the scheme, The Junction is committed to continuing to expand its portfolio with the recent openings of Canadian coffee and donut brand, Tim Horton’s and activewear shoe brand, Skechers.
For more information, please visit www.thejunctionshopping.com. Connect with The Junction on Facebook and Instagram @TheJunctionAntrim and Twitter @JunctionAntrim.
ENDS
Photo Caption:
Chris Flynn, Centre Director at The Junction and Leeanne Davidson, General Manager, Mountain Warehouse.
About Mountain Warehouse
Mountain Warehouse is the largest outdoor retailer in the UK with over 250 stores nationwide, and over 100 more worldwide. The brand was first established in 1997 by founder Mark Neale, and caters for an extensive range of outdoor activities, including walking, running, cycling, camping and skiing, with a wide range of equipment and clothing for the whole family. Mountain Warehouse is focused on offering a growing customer base the best gear and the best service at the best prices, offering own-brand products as well as a wide catalogue of branded gear via its Marketplace.
Instagram: @mountainwarehouse
Facebook: Mountain Warehouse
Twitter: @mountainWhouse
About Animal
Animal UK began in 1987, with a single product designed by two surfers off the coast of Dorset. Their brainchild, the ‘Hoop and Loop’ watchstrap, quickly gained national recognition amongst the water sports community. Animal grew to be one of the most poignant British coastal brands for adrenaline seekers and free-spirited adventurers alike across the UK. Today, the brand has embarked on a journey to become kinder to the planet. Animal makes clothes for all the family that last a lifetime and leave little impact on the environment - all while retaining the passion for adventure that started the journey all those years ago.
Instagram: @animalUK
Facebook: Animal