Blackrock Village Centre officially opened by Minister Ahern
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Dermot Ahern TD, Minister for Foreign Affairs, officially opened the Blackrock Village Centre in Blackrock, Co Louth today (Dec 21).
The retail and medical facilities developed by Louth-based Peppermint Holdings incorporate the former Ancient Order of Hibernians Hall at the northern end of Main Street in Blackrock.
Completed earlier this year, the Centre now houses a Centra outlet and pharmacy along with a hairdressing salon, medical and dental surgeries.
As he officially opened it, Minister Ahern who lives nearby said, “With the very considerable population growth that we have seen in Blackrock in recent years, it is important that there be convenient access to the type of facilities that are now available in the Blackrock Village Centre. Whether they are picking up groceries, having their hair styled or a visit to a doctor, dentist or pharmacist, people in this area no longer need to rely so heavily on travelling by car for basic goods and services.
“Dentists, doctors and pharmacists like those now based at this Centre provide important parts of our primary care infrastructure and should be readily accessible to all of the population at a time when we’re seeking to promote proactive health management. Similarly, the hair salon and Centra store which is one of hundreds throughout the country offer tremendous convenience to customers. It is also appropriate that we seek to bring life back to buildings such as the AOH Hall and the developers in this case deserve credit for the sensitive way they have integrated that in to their scheme.”
Andrew Griffith of Peppermint Holdings said they are pleased to have the Blackrock Village Centre fully let and trading successfully. “The Centre is proving popular with tenants and their customers who seem to value the convenience offered.
“Blackrock has grown very rapidly over the last five years and it was clear to us that a market existed for additional retail and service provision at a convenient location. As the Minister mentioned, this is an important site for Blackrock and we’re happy to have achieved a good balance between sensitive design and commercial viability.”
Now operating from the Blackrock Village Centre are Centra; Bradley’s Pharmacy; Dr John Murphy; Tom Rodgers, dentist and Fusion hair salon.
Centra recorded sales of over €1.2bn in Ireland during 2006, a year when 47 new outlets opened. The success of the group is attributed to a strong brand with strong consumer appeal, delivered in partnership with entrepreneurial independent local retailers including Eamon Victory who owns the Blackrock outlet.
The Bradley’s Pharmacy at Blackrock Village Centre is the group’s 16th outlet and the sixth in Co Louth. Dr Murphy and Mr Rodgers already have a loyal base of medical and dental patients having previously practiced in Dundalk. Blackrock woman Lisa Owens operates Fusion in a custom-designed space.
