Shops jobs boost for Ards centre

Ninety-three new jobs have been created in Newtownards with the opening of four shops in six weeks.

A spokeswoman for Ards Shopping Centre said the opening of Pound Land, Semi Chem, Subway and Iceland meant 93 new jobs for the town.

She said that despite the recession, the number of people visiting the centre remained the same as last year.

Earlier this year, Marks & Spencer closed its Simply Food store at the centre with the loss of 37 jobs.

The Adams and Mark One shops went into administration.

The Ards centre opened in 1976, making it one of the longest running regional shopping centres in Northern Ireland.