Dodds welcomes launch of new TJ Hughes store

TJ Hughes - one of the UK's leading retailers - is to invest over 1.6m creating 16 full-time and 137 part-time jobs, with its first Northern Ireland store at Cityside Retail Park, Yorkgate, Belfast.

The TJ Hughes concept will be new to shoppers here as it offers leading branded products at up to 60% off the RRP in a traditional department store setting.

Whilst TJ Hughes will be a new name to local shoppers, the store has traded in GB since its first store in Liverpool opened in 1912, evolving to take ownership of the discount department store concept.

Dr. Karise Hutchinson, lecturer and researcher in Retailing at the University of Ulster, said: "The discount department store retailing offered by TJ Hughes is a new innovative format for Northern Ireland and this will add variety and choice for the Northern Ireland consumer."

The store, which has a retail selling space of 43,000 sq ft, is set to open on March 24, and provide a welcome jobs boost for the North Belfast area.

This has been welcomed by North Belfast DUP MP Nigel Dodds MLA who said: “I would like to welcome TJ Hughes to Cityside Shopping Centre, Yorkgate.

“This is very good news for the local area and the economy in general. It will provide a much welcomed jobs boost and be a catalyst for even more shopper interest in the area. I would like to wish all TJ Hughes the very best of success.”

TJ Hughes Chief Executive, Sue Tennant, added: "TJ Hughes is unique in the UK retail sector in that it offers 'can't be beaten' prices on branded goods in a department store environment.

“We are keen for the Northern Ireland shopper to see the store at first hand as it will be unlike any other discount store they are familiar with. Our stores operate as department stores and we stock a wide range of leading brands across ladies', men’s and children’s fashions, homewares, electrical goods and much more.

We are delighted to be launching into Northern Ireland, and we believe that the TJ Hughes offering will be a huge success.”

TJ Hughes’ first store was established in 1912 in Liverpool. Today the company trades from 1.8 million square feet of retail space with 53 department stores across Great Britain and has a reputation for being one of the strongest brands in UK discount retail.