Lesley Abbeycentre
| Location | Newtownabbey, County Antrim, Northern Ireland |
|---|---|
| Opened | 1978 |
| Owner | Mussenden Properties Limited |
| Stores | 70 |
| 3 | |
| Floor area | 320,000 sq ft (2.97 ha)[1] |
| Floors | 1 |
| Website | www |
Lesley Abbeycentre, formerly known as the Abbey Centre, is a shopping centre in Newtownabbey, County Antrim, Northern Ireland.
Opened in 1978 and anchored by Primark, Dunnes Stores and Next, the shopping centre is medium-sized, being around 320,000 sq ft.
History
The Abbey Centre opened in 1978, the centre was built in the heart of Newtownabbey. A second anchor tenant, Dunnes Stores, opened in 1979 and has been open ever since.[2]
The centre was expanded countless times, such as in 2000, which seen Primark open as a new anchor tenant and then in 2002 which saw British Home Stores open as another new anchor.[3][4]
In 2014, property developer NewRiver acquired the centre for £140 million from a consortium which included former UTV chairman John B. McGuckian.[5][6]
In 2015, anchor tenants Dunnes Stores and Next were given new contracts and confirmed that they were upsizing their presence in the centre, Dunnes originally opposed to Next's plans but it was resolved.[7] Next opened in 2016 while Dunnes opened in 2017.[8]
In 2017, Primark announced that they would be moving into the old British Home Stores unit within the centre which closed a year before, leaving their former presence which opened in 2000, the new store opened in 2019.[9][10][3][11] The former Primark became occupied by Poundland, which opened in the same year.[12]
In 2024, the centre's entrance was revamped with Danske Bank upsizing and Greggs opening in a new unit.[13]
In 2025, the Abbey Centre was acquired by Michael and Lesley Herbert for under £59m, the centre was rebranded to Lesley Abbeycentre.[14] Later that year, a series of redevelopments were announced, including expanding the centre and adding more stores alongside a new multi-storey car park.[15][16]
Stores
Shops in the centre include Primark, Dunnes Stores, Next, Poundland, River Island, JD Sports, Boots, and Argos. There are also KFC and Nando's restaurants.[17]
References
- ↑ https://www.newsletter.co.uk/business/proposed-extension-to-newtownabbey-shopping-complex-aims-to-reinforce-the-centres-established-role-as-a-key-retail-destination-for-the-borough-5466950
- ↑ "Dunnes to expand Abbeycentre store as part of revamp | Belfast Telegraph".
- 1 2 "Top stores move in | Belfast Telegraph".
- ↑ "Bhs to open new Abbeycentre store". www.4ni.co.uk. Retrieved 2026-05-17.
- ↑ Media, Insider (2014-08-11). "Abbey Centre acquired as part of £140m deal - Insider Media". Insider Media Ltd. Retrieved 2026-05-17.
- ↑ "Londonderry Foyleside Centre owner returns to profit". BBC News. 2013-05-09. Retrieved 2026-05-17.
- ↑ "Dunnes planning for revamped flagship Belfast store". Irish Independent. 2015-10-22. Retrieved 2026-05-17.
- ↑ "Next flagship store opens with 30 new jobs". Belfast News Letter. 2016-12-22. Retrieved 2026-05-17.
- ↑ "Last Northern Ireland BHS store closes doors for good". BBC News. 2016-08-28. Retrieved 2026-05-17.
- ↑ McKeown, Gareth (2017-09-22). "Primark moving to former BHS store in the Abbey Centre". The Irish News. Retrieved 2026-05-17.
- ↑ djni (2019-05-30). "DJNI helps Primark Launch New Abbeycentre Store". DJNI. Retrieved 2026-05-17.
- ↑ "New Poundland store to open in Newtownabbey tomorrow". Belfast News Letter. 2019-11-15. Retrieved 2026-05-17.
- ↑ "New Greggs and Danske Bank branches open at Newtownabbey shopping centre". NorthernIrelandWorld. 2023-12-13. Retrieved 2026-05-17.
- ↑ "Forestside owners Michael and Lesley Herbert buy Abbey Centre". BBC News. 2025-06-03. Retrieved 2026-05-17.
- ↑ "Northern Ireland shopping centre set for expansion with new six-storey car park and retail units 'to alleviate existing pressures and accommodate future demand'". Belfast News Letter. 2026-01-07. Retrieved 2026-05-17.
- ↑ "The proposed development is for an extension to provide additional retail floorspace and cafe/restaurant units". NorthernIrelandWorld. 2025-07-30. Retrieved 2026-05-17.
- ↑ "Shopping |Lesley Abbeycentre". lesleyabbeycentre.co.uk. 2017-02-02. Retrieved 2026-05-17.