Up to 500 new jobs are to be created in Lisburn, Co Antrim, in a major expansion to its shopping heartland.
The £15 million sterling, 125,000 square feet project will almost double the size of the Bow Street Mall shopping complex. It is due to open in September.
"Lisburn has risen above all other towns in the north to become one of the most attractive and most visited shopping destinations drawing footfall from south of the border as well as Belfast and further afield," Mr Michael Hopkins of McKibben Commercial agents said.
He said they had agreed terms with a number of major retailers for space in the new centre and that Burger King and KFC had agreed to take space in a new 400-seat food court.
Elsewhere, 60 jobs are going to Belfast's riverside Odyssey complex with the arrival of another international tenant.
The La Tasca tapas bar and restaurant chain is to open its first Irish outlet, it was announced today.
The 260-seat restaurant will open in the Odyssey Pavilion in September. The Pavilion is already home to Ireland's only Hard Rock Cafe and several other internationally known restaurants.
Last week it was announced 60 jobs were being created with the opening in May of the massive 14,000 square foot Bar Seven.
The multi-function entertainment venue - with a capacity of over 1,000 - will have cafe-bar, restaurant, DJ box, area for live performances and conference rooms.
PA