A £6m Primark investment has given a border city a pre-festive jobs boost as Buttercrane Shopping Centre, Newry welcomed a state-of-the-art, 50,000sqft store extension providing 100 full and part time jobs.

Following the construction phase - that also boosted local builders with temporary employment - Peter Murray, Buttercrane Centre Manager said: "It is a considerable and very welcome investment in these straightened times.

"This is a huge vote of confidence by Primark, one of Europe's leading retailers, in the strength of Buttercrane's trading performance and I believe endorsement of this magnitude is something to shout about.

"The newly opened extension is, of course, brilliant news for our Buttercrane shoppers who now have a larger, more modern Primark store to explore and enjoy in time for Christmas and beyond.

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"As one of our key anchor stores, Primark now offers an even wider range of quality fashion and homewares to enhance our already impressive retail offering at the Buttercrane Shopping Centre.

"It is also expected that the newly improved Primark store will help to entice more southern shoppers from across the border," he enthused.

Criona Collins from BTW Shiells, Leasing Director for the Buttercrane Centre, added: "Primark's success story at Buttercrane is clear evidence of this excellent shopping centre's ability to attract key retailer investment.

"It is particularly significant that Primark, voted Retailer of the Year 2010, chose to re-invest at Buttercrane, as the company's growth strategy is currently focused on the rest of Europe. Buttercrane has traded reasonably strongly throughout 2010 despite the current economic climate.

"At a time when almost all development has been mothballed owing to the recession, the landlord's decision to invest is paramount to the continued success of Buttercrane Shopping Centre and the remaining 60 + retailers should undoubtedly reap the rewards," she said.

(BMcC/GK)