Around 1,000 jobs are being created today as a huge new landmark shopping centre is officially opened in Athlone.

The €500 million Athlone Town Centre development is being described as one of Europe's biggest rejuvenation projects.

Around 1,000 people are to work at the centre, which includes shops, a hotel and more than 60 apartments.

"This is the biggest retail development in the Midlands and there has been huge anticipation in Athlone and surrounding areas with massive demand for such a retail offering," said Gerry Mulcahy, Commercial Director of Athlone Towncentre.

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The new town centre mall is in the heart of Athlone in Co Westmeath alongside a 160-bedroom hotel and 160 private apartments. The project created 400 jobs at the construction stage, and 1,000 more jobs now that it is up and running.

The project is located on a site between the Prince of Wales Hotel and the old Royal Hoey hotel on the Leinster side of the River Shannon bridge in Athlone, and cost €120 million to construct. The shopping centre includes over 60 shops with two main anchor tenants.

(BMcC)