Retail Market:Hundreds of shoppers queued last week for the opening of Charlestown shopping centre at the busy junction of the N2 and the M50.

The huge turnout for the opening was followed all week by large numbers of shoppers keen to avail of the discounts and special offers from many of the stores, including the anchor, Dunnes Stores.

The shopping complex will form part of an important new urban centre that will include more apartments, offices, community services and leisure facilities in a second phase due to receive planning permission in the coming weeks. The new centre has attracted a strong line up of tenants including Heatons, Boots, Vera Moda and Lifestyle Sports.

Charlestown has been developed by Bovale, the company controlled by brothers Tom and Mick Bailey, who have invested around €175 million in the shopping centre and apartments.