Store manager Anne Marie Burns, Rajesh Rana of the Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce, Lord Mayor Deirdre Hargey and Gretta Guiney

Irish department store Guineys has opened its first Northern Ireland store in Belfast.

The retailer, which sells discounted clothing and homeware, has hired 20 staff in a "six figure" investment in its 12th outlet on the island of Ireland. The store is part of the old BHS at Castle Place.

It opened last Friday, the day before Primark unveiled its new shop after a fire destroyed its flagship at Bank Buildings.

Lord Mayor of Belfast Deirdre Hargey said the opening was "encouraging".

Gretta Guiney, managing director of Guineys, said: "We appreciate that Belfast retailers have experienced a very testing few months in the wake of the fire.

"However, we're very happy to finally open our doors to the public with our first store here, giving consumers even more reason to visit Belfast for shopping."

Belfast Telegraph