Irish Enterprise Awards 2026 Feb26026 Retail Revitalisation Excellence Award 2026 With many of the headlines surrounding the retail industry being about store closures and staff redundancies, it is refreshing to see something as positive as the retail revitalisation going on at Douglas Court, today one of Munster Region premier shopping centres. Having been open for more than 30 years, Douglas Court Shopping Centre once stood as a bright spot in the local retail scene, but as is the case with so many locations of its kind across Ireland and beyond, it had lost some of its spark, with empty units and less customers than before. Unwilling to let a local community cornerstone fade away, the O’Leary Family purchased Douglas Court just over two years ago in early 2024, at €21 million price tag with a clear plan of increasing foot traffic, attracting new tenants, and connecting back with community in new creative ways. The revitalisation of Douglas Court has been a resounding success, delivering a major impact on both the shopping centre itself and the surrounding community. Increasing dwell time, attracting new tenants and expanding food and beverage offering were some of the fist key items that needed addressing. This dog-friendly centre also introduced very popular and top of the range kids soft play area, Cork craft and design unit where local craftsmen sell their products/ all made in Cork was created and one of Cork’s most popular and successful coffee chains Three Fools Coffee arrived that summer. Later high end ladies Boutique PURE trading in Douglas for over 20 years relocated to a new beautifully design unit in Douglas Court, as well as another family run business from West Cork serving ASAI bowls, toasties and desserts. Furthermore, Dunnes Stores – Douglas Court’s anchor tenant – had expanded the offering as well, introducing an in-house butchers, James Whelan, Off-Beat Donuts, Baxter & Green Deli, Sushi , Sheridan Cheese and plenty more of customer favourites including substantial Clothing and home departments upgrade with additions of new brands This was just the beginning, as Bartosz told the Irish Examiner, as of this time last It is no secret that the high street has been struggling in recent years, with physical stores finding it harder to turn a profit in a world of online shopping and increased rental and operating costs. Some of the shopping centres risk the same fate, as they too are impacted by the same developments. There are, however, people contradict this trend, including the O’Leary Family and their team, who two years ago took over Douglas Court Shopping Centre in Cork. For more on the transformative changes enacted as a result of this takeover, we caught up with Bartosz Mieszala, Property Director for The Douglas Court Partnership. year, all but two of the 47 units at the shopping centre were occupied, which is a remarkable feet. Today, there is 50 units filled with a range of leading retailers and independent businesses alike New Level fitness studio opened last year as well as a first step into for the whole new health And wellness experience that will arrive in Douglas Court This summer as works have now commenced on transforming 8 000 sq. ft of storage to Health and Wellness Floor and second separate area into the Fitness dedicated Floor with further additions of reformer Pilates yoga and physio rooms. It’s a very busy start of the Year in Douglas Court as his month centre also welcomed the Shoe Suite a third-generation, familyowned Irish business established in 1960 by Florence O'Dwyer. Currently managed by David O'Dwyer and His son Mark the company has grown to include six stores across Ireland – Douglas Court being the newest addition The company is known for its long-standing presence in Irish retail, the Shoe Suite continues to thrive by focusing on the personalised service, exceptional customer service and quality that sets it apart from larger retail stores “Within a very short space of time we transformed Douglas Court from a centre that was forgotten to the one to watch. We are becoming more and more of a ‘destination’.” www.echolive.ie/sponsored/arid-41733363.html www.irishexaminer.com/sponsored/arid41682809.html www.echolive.ie/sponsored/arid-41540732.html www.echolive.ie/sponsored/arid-41502899.html www.irishexaminer.com/sponsored/arid41740542.html
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