Boots expands in west Dublin

Boots is believed to have agreed a rent of about €1.3 million for a large new store at Blanchardstown in west Dublin.

Development work is to begin later this month on the new unit, which will extend to 1,850sq m (20,000sq ft) on the upper level close to River Island.

Boots has traded in Blanchardstown since it opened in 1996 and currently rents two stores with a total floor area of 930sq m (10,000sq ft).

The UK multiple is not the only one expanding at the centre. Champion Sports, recently taken over by the UK based JD Sports, recently opened an enlarged store of 230sq m (2,500sq ft). The rent is believed to be in the region of €400,000.

Vodafone has also doubled its retail space to 140sq m (1,500sq ft), opening the way for Danish jewellery store Pandora to take over its old unit.

Permanent TSB is also getting used to a larger shop of 205sq m (2,200sq ft) after closing its branch office along Blanchardstown’s main street.

The tenant line-up in the shopping centre has been enhanced by the arrival of global cosmetics retailer Inglot. It is now trading in a shop of 75sq m (800sq ft) next to Debenhams.

The Blanchardstown centre is now fully let and has had a number of inquiries in recent weeks from overseas traders, according to letting agent Eoin Feeney of BNP Paribas. The joint agents are Jones Lang LaSalle.