Spoon Street confirms fifth Northern Ireland store opening at Rushmere

Big ripples ahead for Rushmere as home-grown dessert phenomenon Spoon Street adds fifth store and 10 new jobs in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland self-serve frozen yogurt sensation Spoon Street is on its way to Rushmere Shopping Centre as part of renewed growth plans to add new stores and jobs across the region.

Created by young entrepreneurs Harry and Katie Wang who opened their first store in east Belfast in 2014, Spoon Street has since brought its US-inspired yogurt concept and eco-friendly credentials to three other Belfast locations including Anne Street, Lisburn Road, Lisburn Leisureplex and Ballyhackamore.

The Spoon Street brand was acquired by the Newry-based owner of restaurant chain Eddie Rockets, Justin Ward, in 2019.

Rushmere Shopping Centre marks Spoon Street’s first location outside Belfast and its latest venture will create 10 new jobs when the store opens on Friday 9 August.

The Spoon Street concept has proved a big hit with customers who get to pour their own ‘froyo’ from a multi award-winning selection of 16 flavours and 45 toppings using biodegradable spoons, and all tastes are catered for with gluten-free, sugar-free, nut-free, vegan-friendly, vegetarian, low-fat and fat-free options all on offer.

Frozen yogurt and sorbets have grown dramatically in popularity as a healthier alternative to ice-cream in recent years.

Spoon Street director Justin Ward said Rushmere Shopping Centre was only the next stop in a new plan for growth.

Strategic

“Strategically-located in one of the region’s largest and most successful shopping centres, we’re delighted to confirm our new store will open for eat in, takeaway or for home delivery from August 2 and a new team of 10 staff will be on hand to bring this brilliant foodie concept to thousands more customers outside the Belfast area.”

Rushmere Shopping Centre is one of Northern Ireland’s largest retail destinations, located between Portadown and Lurgan just 30 miles to the west of Belfast.

Growth plans

“With four longstanding, successful outlets behind us, we’re already looking forward to growing our footprint further across the island as we look to restart growth plans paused as a result of the pandemic. Rushmere is a major milestone in this strategy and we can’t wait to reveal more details of new locations in the months ahead,” Justin Ward said.

Centre manager Martin Walsh said: “Since fully reopening in May with record-breaking visit numbers, Rushmere has been keen to add to its strong mix of retail stores and big brand names with a fresh focus on hospitality and I’m thrilled that the hugely-popular Spoon Street has chosen us as part of its new expansion plans.”

Rushmere record

Rushmere Shopping Centre is jointly managed by leading lettings specialists Osborne King and Savills.

Earlier this year, Rushmere Shopping Centre reported record daily visitor numbers for a May Bank Holiday weekend, when more than 136,000 customers made the trip.

Out-of-town retail centres and parks have performed relatively strongly compared with high streets and city centres in the last year and are recovering faster than any other type of shopping destination, according to a recent Springboard analysis.