Local retailers feel the festive feelgood factor

Following a busy Black Friday weekend in Navan, local retailers are predicting a good Christmas with new shops opening in the town and a heavy footfall of shoppers.
Following the spectacular switch on of the Christmas lights on Saturday, traders are feeling optimistic about the next few weeks.
“We had a bit of a lift at the weekend, a lot of the shops were full. People are definitely more positive than this time last year,” said Trimgate Street trader, Jack Kiernan.
“We have a number of new businesses on Trimgate Street, the vacant shops are filling up and we are expecting a good Christmas.
Pat Mullaney, manager of Navan Town Centre agreed that business was good this year. He pointed out that retail was changing, but Navan Town Centre has a good mix of tenants who were attracting a lot of shoppers to the centre.
“Black Friday was successful and we had huge crowds for the switch on of the Christmas lights,
“Car numbers are steady and footfall is consistent with last year - around 2.6 per cent behind last year.”
Mr Mullaney said he was excited about the redevelopment of the cinema due to open next month
The €7m, 35,000 sq ft, six-screen cinema is situated at the expanded site of the town’s original cinema at Kennedy Road.
Over 30 new jobs will be created by the Arc Cinema chain, which joins those in Drogheda and Wexford town. 
“By integrating the 15,000 sq ft former Jesters play centre unit, the end result is a much larger and improved leisure offering with direct access to the cinema complex from Navan Town Centre and its spacious car park,” said Mr Mullaney.
“The entire premises has been stripped back to shell and core and boasts new lifts, foyer, entrance, screens and the luxury leather armchair seats.
“We are very excited to welcome a new neighbour to the centre in such a great, convenient location, and look forward to the opportunities this development will bring to Navan as a whole. 
“We are thrilled with the great customer cinema experience that The Arc Cinema will deliver, right on our doorstep,” he said.