Cult TV show ‘Derry Girls’ has brought living in the city in the 1990s to a global audience but there’s no doubt that the most exciting thing about the decade was the opening of the North West’s landmark retail destination – Foyleside Shopping Centre – in 1995.
US President Bill Clinton even came to town in that most auspicious year for the historic city on the banks of the Foyle known worldwide for its LegenDerry welcome and flair for fashion!
Foyleside forged the way for retail therapy 25 years ago by attracting some of the biggest and best high street names with main anchor tenants (such as M&S and Dunnes Stores, followed by Debenhams to name a few) offering an exciting new range of products and services. The choices were endless and they have expanded through the years.
A weekend wasn’t complete without a wander around the stores on all four levels to check out the styles for every season and that’s still very much in vogue with fashion bloggers aka influencers now also leading the charge! Shoppers of all ages and tastes enjoy a regular walkabout to browse for bargains, whether it’s on a weekday morning, late night opening or a bustling Saturday or Sunday afternoon.
While the shopping itself is without doubt still top of the list for visitors to the Centre, Foyleside is forever buzzing with those out and about to spot who they can see dressed to impress – or, let’s be honest, to be seen! Many a young couple meet up there for a first date at a fast-food restaurant and have done since the days when it first opened its doors.
For Foyleside’s Assistant Manager, Siobhan McDonald, it’s all the traditional fun-filled seasonal activities hosted by the Centre that stand out when she rolls back the years. She joined the staff in 1996, just 10 months after the Centre first opened, breathing new life into the city centre with entrances on various street levels.
Siobhan said: “What I love most about Foyleside are the colourful events we hold throughout the year that bring the Centre to life and the magical interaction they create with our staff and customers, especially the children at Easter, Halloween and Christmas.”
A quarter of a century may seem like a lifetime to some, but for others it is merely the blink of an eye. Popular security staff member, Adrian ‘OB’ O’Brien, is another friendly, familiar face on the mall from 25 years ago and his job is clearly still a labour of love for him all year round!
“I have always loved my job at Foyleside, we’re like one big happy family here, staff and customers alike. Many of the shoppers we have coming through the doors have been regulars since day one and we always also enjoy meeting and greeting the countless visitors and international tourists who flock to the Centre while on their travels from all arts and parts of the world.”
Fast forward 25 years and Foyleside is still the premier shopping location in the North West. The Centre’s airy, light-filled atmosphere and unique focal point adjacent to the historic city walls with panoramic views across the River Foyle, make it a shopping mecca for locals and visitors who can spend all day there, thanks to the Food Court and other cafes and eateries in addition to the numerous merchandise stores.
Foyleside has indeed stood the test of time and remains the number one shopping destination for miles around since day one. Overseeing the Foyleside Centre on its milestone 25th birthday is manager Fergal Rafferty, who is immensely proud of its unrivalled status as ‘The Centre of Shopping’.
Fergal said: “It is such an achievement for Foyleside to be still as popular and relevant as it was when it first opened to the public on September 25th, 1995. That is a testament to the dedicated management team and staff working within the Centre itself as well as all the Irish, UK and international retail chains who have identified this city as a great destination to do business.
“Our longevity and success is reflected in our ongoing ability to embrace the diversifications in shopping trends, for example, by complementing our modern bricks and mortar retail experience to also offer online shopping with a click and collect service available for customers in a number of our stores.
“It is also about being an inclusive city centre hub which brings people together in a familiar environment where they continue to feel comfortable and welcome, including adapting to the recent essential new measures in place to help ensure the health and safety of both our staff and customers which is of paramount importance for all businesses in the current climate.”
Reflecting on some of his proudest standout moments for Foyleside to date, Fergal said: “We have always provided a full programme of entertainment for shoppers through our ongoing engagement with local schools and community groups throughout the North West, featuring both homegrown talent and visiting artists coinciding with all the big international annual festivals and events the city is famous for throughout the world.
“We are not just a shopping centre, we believe in being at the centre of our diverse local communities and that also includes giving back to the community by supporting local charities. Foyleside Shopping Centre has helped to raise tens of thousands of pounds over the years for charities such as Foyle Hospice and others particularly close to the hearts of people throughout the North West and beyond. We are delighted to reach this successful milestone and look forward to what the future holds for the Centre over the next 25 years and beyond.”
For more information and latest store opening times visit foyleside.co.uk or Facebook @FoylesideSC
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