Former Fultons premises gets a new lease of life

In exciting news for Northern Ireland consumers, iconic Belfast furniture store, Fultons will reopen under new ownership and with a new name on Boxing Day.

An English consortium, made up of leading UK professional retailers and investors, has taken on responsibility, with immediate effect, for all business at the former Fultons store, Balmoral Plaza, Boucher Road, Belfast. The new-look flagship, Belfast Furniture Mall will open on Boxing Day – the busiest retail day of the year.

Fultons was taken over by administrators, PWC in July 2012 and a managed wind down process was initiated in December of last year. A new lease at the original site has now been taken on by the new owners. The re-launch of the impressive 60,000 sq ft showroom represents an investment of several million pounds and will create at least 40 new jobs, with more expected to follow.

Following a sympathetic refurbishment, Belfast Furniture Mall will open with a big Boxing Day sale event, offering special opening offers. The impressive store will feature a built-in show home, contemporary room sets and concessions from leading interiors brands, aiming to offer a competitively priced consumer offering, with affordable and aspirational designs sitting side by side.

Major International and European brands including G Plan, Duresta, Old Charm, Sheridan, Tipperary Crystal, Essence Interiors, Wade Upholstery, Celebrity, Relyon Beds, The Pocket Spring Bed Company, Relaxateeze, Seduta, and Parker & Farr are just a few of the names that shoppers can expect to find inside the new look store on 26^th December.

Several more branded concessions, including a Sony Centre will follow in early 2014, and, foodies lamenting the closure of the Fulton’s popular café will be pleased by the launch of a new in-store eatery, fronted by a well-known chef, early next year.

Commenting on the investment, Simon Piper, managing director of Belfast Furniture Mall said: “Belfast Furniture Mall will bring a wide range of exciting brands to Belfast, giving consumers a wider choice for their interiors and homewares needs.  The new-look store has built on the foundations of this attractive and iconic store to create a customer friendly retail environment that’s a joy to browse.

“Our aim is to preserve the reputation for fine furnishing, quality and value built up consistently over many years in the business, and to provide outstanding value and choice from the best suppliers in the trade, with reliable service to the people of Northern Ireland.
“To celebrate the launch, our Boxing Day extravaganza will open the store with a bang, providing fantastic discounts on top branded products. One lucky customer during the first few days will also walk away with a £1,000 voucher to spend in store, making sure they start their New Year in style.”

The Belfast Furniture Mall is the flagship store for the consortium’s new retail concept, which it hopes to roll out in locations across Ireland and the UK in the next few years. Ambitious plans for up to five new stores are in the pipeline, with locations in Derry and Dublin amongst those currently being investigated.

Lee Horsburgh, general manager, Belfast Furniture Mall and Simon Piper, MD, Belfast Furniture Mall pictured at  the former Fultons store at Balmoral Plaza, Boucher Road, Belfast.