| Settlement Type: | Shopping outlet and retail park |
| Pushpin Map: | United Kingdom |
| Established Title: | Built |
Bridgewater (formerly known as The Outlet Park) is a development in County Down, Northern Ireland, near Banbridge. It consists of a shopping outlet and retail park, along with outside areas including drive-thru's and petrol stations.
| The Boulevard | |
| Location: | County Down, Northern Ireland |
| Previous Names: | The Outlet (2007–2018) |
| Owner: | Lotus Property |
| Number Of Stores: | 77 |
| Number Of Anchors: | 2 |
| Floors: | 1 |
| Website: | https://the-boulevard.co.uk |
The Boulevard opened in 2007 as The Outlet. the shopping outlet is a home to discount outlets for big-name fashion retailers. The site was derelict and struggled with footfall, with only a third of its units filled.[1]
In 2016, The Outlet was acquired by Lotus Property from its previous owner Ulster Bank.[2] [3] Lotus invested in the struggling site to become one of the biggest leisure and shopping destinations in Northern Ireland. The investment included opening a 8 screen Omniplex cinema, a McDonald's restaurant, and an implementation of a roof. The Outlet was rebranded to The Boulevard in 2018.[4] In 2024, another investment was announced, opening a Hollywood Bowl (the 2nd one in Northern Ireland) and an expansion of the area close to the Omniplex cinema, which will be redeveloped into a food and entertainment area. The development is expected to be finished by late 2025, subject to planning approval.[5]
In 2014, the Bridgewater (then called The Outlet Park) development began to expand, with a new Tesco store opening, this site would later become Banbridge Retail Park when Home Bargains opened in 2016.[6] [7]
In 2020 and 2022 respectively, The Range, Marks & Spencer and EZ Living Interiors were announced to be tenants of an expansion of the retail park. M&S and The Range opened in 2022 while EZ Living opened in 2023.[8] [9] [10]
In 2024, another expansion was announced, 5 retail units, 3 restaurants and a garden centre were announced to be added to the retail park.[11]