47
SHOPPING & RETAIL
CONNSWATER
One of Northern Ireland’s
oldest
shopping
centres,
Connswater
continues
to
deliver an excellent retail
experience for the denizens
of east Belfast. While the
Newtownards Road centre pre-
dates both Castle Court and
Buttercrane in Newry, it’s more
modern than you might expect,
with a gamut of familiar stores
within its confines. There’s
also a 16-store retail park plus
a Connswater Fitness First
close by. Top-of-the-line retail
outlets such as New Look,
Blue Inc and H Samuel call
Connswater home, while you
can pick up all your nutritional
supplements at Holland &
Barrett. Mobile phone shops
are similarly represented,
with EE, O2, Vodafone and
Carphone Warehouse vying
for your business. There’s also
a Halifax Bank and a Thomas
Cook, as well as a hand car
wash and valet centre in the
car park. It pays to keep an eye
on the Connswater website,
incidentally, as arts and craft
workshops often set up stall
in the centre on weekends;
there have even been pop-
up theatrical performances
in the past, linked with the
EastSide Arts Festival. With
its community vibes and family
entertainment,
Connswater
is much more than just a
shopping centre.
Bloomfield Avenue,
Newtownards Road, BT5 5LP
028 9045 0111
