Primark opens £5m Ballymena store at Fairhill, creating 70 new jobs for Christmas

Christmas arrived early for Ballymena today as Primark officially opened the doors of its brand-new store at Fairhill Shopping Centre — a major £5 million investment that doubles the retailer’s footprint in the town and delivers a welcome boost to the local economy.

The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Jackson Minford, joined store colleagues for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking a significant milestone for the internationally recognised retailer, which first opened in Ballymena in 1983.

The relocation from Tower Centre to Fairhill, less than a mile away, represents a major new chapter for Primark Ballymena.

The newly unveiled store spans 26,200 sq ft across a single, modernised floor — more than double the space of its previous site — and features a refreshed layout designed to enhance the shopping experience.

Customers can expect self-checkouts, improved signage, contemporary fixtures and fittings, upgraded LED lighting and redesigned display units to better showcase Primark’s value-led fashion, homewares and essentials.

The store will employ 150 people, with around 70 new jobs created to support the expanded retail offering in the run-up to the busy Christmas period. Primark now employs 1,400 people across its 10 Northern Ireland stores.

‘A special moment for our whole team’

Fintan Costello, Head of Primark Ireland and Northern Ireland, said:

“Opening our new Ballymena store is a special moment for our whole team, especially the long-standing colleagues who have served our customers here for so many years.

“We’re delighted to offer customers a bigger and better store with more of the great value fashion and everyday essentials they love. This £5 million store investment is an important boost for the local community, and we look forward to welcoming customers through the doors and helping them do all their Christmas shopping.

“We remain committed to Northern Ireland and are continually improving our store network to ensure our customers enjoy the very best of Primark every time they visit.”

With Christmas just weeks away, the new store opening comes at the perfect moment for festive shoppers. Visitors can browse statement partywear, home décor, seasonal essentials and a wide selection of gift ideas.

Fairhill celebrates ‘a major boost for Ballymena’

Ryan Walker, Owner of Fairhill Shopping Centre, added:

“We’re delighted to welcome Primark to its new location here at Fairhill. This investment is a major boost for Ballymena and a proud moment for Fairhill as we look towards a vibrant future.

“Primark’s new store strengthens our retail offering, creates valuable local jobs, and brings a fresh sense of excitement just in time for Christmas.

“We’re thrilled to see this next chapter begin and look forward to welcoming even more shoppers through the doors of Fairhill. From myself and all of the team at Fairhill, Merry Christmas.”

Continued investment in Northern Ireland

Primark (Fairhill, Ballymena) Manager Aileen McGarry

The Ballymena opening marks the latest milestone in Primark’s investment strategy for Northern Ireland.

The retailer now operates 10 stores across the region, including Belfast, Craigavon, Derry~Londonderry, Lisburn, Newtownabbey, Newtownards, Newry and Omagh.

Earlier this year, the company opened its first-ever standalone homeware store, Primark Home, in Belfast — a world-first for the brand.