H&M to open at new Belfast development

H&M is set to open a flagship store at the yet-to-open The Keep retail and leisure development in Belfast.

The Swedish fashion giant has agreed to take a two-storey 20,000 sq ft store, offering a range of menswear, womenswear, and childrenswear.

The retailer will join European footwear giant Deichmann, which has agreed to an 8,500 sq ft store over two floors, it first in the island of Ireland.

Alterity Investment’s The Keep is being developed on the site of the former 70,000 sq ft BHS store, with construction expected to be completed early next year.

The property development company acquired the site in 2021, when it had been vacant for five years after BHS’s administration and subsequent departure in 2016.

Alterity’s plans for the four storey development include repurposing the ground floor space into a number of retail units, as well as a partial change of use on the upper floors to allow for leisure uses. The existing façades on Castle Lane, Castle Arcade, and Cornmarket are also being reworked to improve the building’s appeal.

The development – which was designed by Like Architects – is being led by local contractor Ganson. Frazer Kidd has been appointed as the scheme’s retained agent.

Brian Kidd, from Frazer Kidd, said: “We’re really pleased to have secured a brand of H&M’s calibre for what will be the largest retail letting in The Keep building. We have seen really strong interest from international occupiers in the retail and leisure sectors in this prime location between Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter and City Centre core, and we expect to confirm additional occupiers in the coming months.”