THE Pavilions shopping centre in Swords, Co Dublin, is to get a boost this autumn with the decision by fashion retailer River Island to open a large store in the north Dublin centre.

The UK multiple has agreed to trade from a 724sq m (7,800 sq ft) unit on the ground floor opposite Superquinn. Thev terms include a base rent of €200,000 or a percentage of the turnoverm whichever is the highest. The 10-year lease also includes a rent free period. River Island will occupy the former Ladybird and Purple fashion stores as well as the area assigned to a crèche. Other recent arrivals in Swords include Next, food retailers KFC and Nandos and Spanish toy specialist Imaginarium. Despite adverse publicity about the retail industry generally, The Pavilions is reporting an 8 per cent increase in footfall over the past year, the tenth anniversary of the opening of the centre.

Declan Stone of Colliers International, who acts for River Island, said he was not in a position to comment at this stage.