Kennedy Centre, Belfast

Kennedy Centre is a retail and leisure development in a largely built-up residential area in West Belfast. Having agreed upon a new anchor tenant, the Kennedy Centre was redeveloped again in 2009 with a new cinema, an expanded supermarket and entertainment complex. At approximately 97,000 sq ft (9,000 m2). Its anchor tenant is Sainsbury's supermarket, its largest supermarket in Northern Ireland.

Kennedy Centre
Map
LocationBelfast, Northern Ireland
Coordinates54°34′51″N 5°58′44″W / 54.5809°N 5.9788°W / 54.5809; -5.9788
Address564 - 568 Falls Road, Belfast, BT11 9AE
Opening date1981 (Curleys)
1991 (Mall)
DeveloperHJS developments
ManagementJohn Jones
OwnerHugh Kennedy and Family
ArchitectHPA
No. of stores and services48
No. of anchor tenants1
Total retail floor area300,000 sq ft (28,000 m2)
No. of floors3
Parking800
Websitekennedycentre.co.uk

History

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The site was formerly a Lucozade factory, which Hugh Kennedy bought, developed and opened his supermarket, Curleys, in 1981 on the site. It was later redeveloped in 1991 by Kennedy as "Kennedy Centre".[citation needed]

In 2008, supermarket chain Sainsbury's acquired the Curleys supermarket business,[1] this led to a remodelling and rebranding of the supermarket area of the shopping centre, leading to a Sainsbury's store that is approximately 97,000 sq ft (9,000 m2), making it the largest Sainsbury's supermarket in Northern Ireland.[2] There is also a Sainsbury's petrol filling station and an Argos concession on the site.

As part of the expansion of the Kennedy Centre, a new O'Neills store, a refurbished cinema now operated by Omniplex Cinemas and entertainment complex would be created.

In 2022, Home Bargains left the main building, moving to a large building next to Kennedy Centre in the same complex, Tim Hortons opened outside the centre the same year. [3][4]

Retail stores

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Within the Kennedy Centre, there are currently 49 stores.[5] Some of these stores include Iceland, Costa Coffee, Greggs and JD Sports. Other stores include Boots, Peacocks, O'Neills and DV8. Post-remodelling, the Kennedy Centre now hosts a foodcourt in the upstairs area, a children's soft play area and cafe known as Funky Monkeys and a family entertainment complex. The Andersonstown Jobs and Benefits office is also located within the complex.

On the first floor of the Kennedy Centre, there is an 8-screen digital cinema operated by Omniplex Cinemas.

References

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  1. ^ "Retail giant buys family business". 16 January 2008. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  2. ^ "Largest Sainsburys Store In Northern Ireland Open For Business". Supermarket.co.uk. 9 May 2018. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  3. ^ "Home Bargains to expand presence at Kennedy Centre". 24 February 2022.
  4. ^ "Tim Hortons to open at Kennedy Centre later this year". Belfast Media Group. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  5. ^ "Store Directory - Kennedy Centre".