Forget White Walkers, 600,000 extra visitors per annum are coming for The Boulevard

An outlet shopping scheme close to the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is set to benefit from swathes of visitors when a world-renowned £24m tourist attraction opens later this year.  The Game of Thrones Studio Tour at the Linen Mill Studios in Banbridge, Northern Ireland is expected to draw some 600,000 visitors per year from around the globe and is one of the most exciting tourist attractions in Northern Ireland’s history.  Work on the attraction’s Park and Ride facility for visitors is due to start later this year and is situated in a car park adjacent to The Boulevard, the multi-million-pound retail scheme, owned by Lotus Property.

The attraction will also create approximately 150 jobs in the local area.  Alastair Coulson, managing director at Lotus Property commented on the exciting new string to The Boulevard’s bow: “This attraction is a gamechanger for the Irish tourism sector and a phenomenal boost to the local job market and the Banbridge economy. Not only will it put Banbridge on a global map – as international fans of the iconic show plan for their first post-pandemic trip – it will also significantly increase the numbers of visitors we have on site on a daily basis; a huge benefit to our tenants who will see a direct kickback.  

“We are confident that visitors who are parking up or returning after an exciting trip to Linen Mill Studios – up to 600,000 of them a year – will utilise what’s on offer at The Boulevard as part of their day’s activity. With a mix of premium retail brands offering up to 70% off RRP, a number of food & beverage operators from sit-in restaurants to Drive Thrus, and a cinema, The Boulevard can provide everything a family needs to make a day of it.  “We are also excited to welcome new visitors to the scheme, especially those from further afield who will be experiencing Banbridge’s and in fact, quite possibly, the Northern Irish retail offering for the first time.”