From padel courts to retail giants to delicious food spots – lots is on the cards for NI!
There is always something new and exciting popping up across Northern Ireland, and 2026 has been no different.
From welcoming the first Sephora store on the island of Ireland to Wingstop opening not one, but three stores across the country, we love to see businesses thrive in our wee country.
We may be almost in autumn, but there is still plenty of newness on the cards for NI – from new shops to new food outlets to a new sports and fitness centre.
We have rounded up only some of the new openings we have reported on to keep an eye out for across the country:
Hollister
Popular outlet shopping centre The Boulevard has confirmed the opening of Hollister’s second store in Northern Ireland.
Hollister, owned by Abercrombie & Fitch Co, was founded in 2000 and focuses on casual apparel and accessories for teens and young adults.
Belfast Live previously reported that plans submitted to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council to open a Hollister store in the former’s Peacock unit at The Boulevard.
Job postings have also appeared online, which show that Hollister is currently recruiting for staff members to join the team at the new store at The Boulevard.
So far, no opening date has been confirmed for the new store.
Mowgli
Indian street food chain Mowgli is set to open in Belfast city centre this year.
Mowgli has more than 20 restaurants across the UK, including two in London, Manchester, two in Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, Cheltenham, Cardiff, and more.
The chain had said it was set to open its first location in Northern Ireland at Victoria Square this summer but no further updates have been issued on when customers can expect to be able to dine.
Branding has appeared on the unit at the shopping centre so hopefully customers will not have to wait too much longer.
House of Padel
A landmark new sports and wellness destination is set to transform a former industrial site in East Belfast following a £1.5million investment.
House of Padel has announced it will open its first Northern Ireland club in the new huge facility on Redcar Street, just off the Woodstock Road.
Set to officially open at the end of September, the club will feature six double padel courts, two single padel courts and three pickleball courts alongside a comprehensive range of fitness, wellness and social facilities.
These include a mat Pilates and yoga studio, weights room, cardio mezzanine and warm-up area, sauna, plunge pools and a health food and coffee bar, creating a premium club experience that goes well beyond traditional court hire.
Crocs
Joining Hollister as a new retail addition to The Boulevard is global footwear giant Crocs.
It will be the first dedicated outlet store for the brand in Northern Ireland and was teased in a social media video alongside the message “Something new is stepping into The Boulevard” followed by crocodile and feet emojis.
While no official opening date has been announced, branding on the new store seems to hint that Crocs will be opening very soon.
North Face
Another first for Northern Ireland, North Face is preparing to open its first-ever stand-alone store in the country at Victoria Square.
The shopping centre took to social media and said, “The North Face is coming soon to Victoria Square. Stay tuned for more!”
Alongside the post, hoarding has gone up outside the store on the lower ground of the centre, announcing the brand’s arrival.
It comes as the centre welcomed the opening of NI’s first Abercrombie & Fitch store last week.
Juice Jar
Juice Jar has announced the exciting plans that it is set to open another location in Belfast.
The popular juice company is opening its sixth Belfast location in the PEC at Queen’s University Belfast.
The healthy food spot has become famous for its juices, acai bowls and melts and was founded in 2019 by owner Sam Shepard.
Alongside the announcement on social media, they have let their followers know the exact opening date for the new spot. It will open on September 1, just in time for students returning to the city.
Wingstop
After only arriving in Northern Ireland earlier this year, Wingstop already has plans to open its fourth store in the country.
Wingstop opened its doors for the first time at Boucher Creasant in March this year, before opening a second store in Dundonald in May.
It opened a third store at Rushmere Shopping Centre in Craigavon this summer and has sights on bringing their famous wings to the heart of Belfast City Centre.
‘Lemon Pepper Holdings’, the parent company for Wingstop, has submitted plans to open a store in Belfast City Centre. It is set to open its doors on Castle Place, in a unit occupied by Costa Coffee, right in the heart of the city.
La Bottega
An award-winning Italian restaurant, La Bottega, has submitted plans for a new venue on the North Coast.
La Bottega opened on Belfast’s Lisburn Road in November 2021, with owner Francesco Iaquinta’s goal being to serve up authentic deli dishes from the north and south of Italy.
Now, plans have been submitted to Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council to open a La Bottega restaurant in Portrush.
The planning application seeks an internal fit-out and change of use of the first floor at 4 Castle Erin Road to form an authentic Italian pasta restaurant which will accommodate 60 diners.
Crusca Pasta Lab
As if one new La Bottega addition wasn’t good enough, owners have also submitted plans to expand their offering in Belfast.
La Bottega submitted plans to Belfast City Council to open a second Belfast location beside Belfast City Hall on Donegall Square East.
The proposal seeks to transform the currently vacant commercial unit into a high-quality, artisanal culinary establishment designed as an “Italian Pasta Lab with a modern twist.”
Alongside the plans, a name can be seen on the proposed plans for the restaurant, which plans to operate on both a sit-in and takeaway basis. The plans suggest the restaurant’s name will be ‘Crusca’.
Orto
Pizza will not be going anywhere in a popular East Belfast neighbourhood as a new tenant has confirmed it will take over the former Greens Pizza site.
Last year, Greens announced the closure of its Ballyhackamore location after 13 years, sharing the news they would be handing the keys to new owners.
On Friday, popular Belfast pizza chain Orto revealed that it was the new owner and confirmed plans to open its fifth location in the unit, after much speculation.
Earlier this year, Orto teased a move into the east of the city but didn’t share any further information on which part of East Belfast they were setting up store.
They said the official opening date will be “coming soon”.
Hollywood Bowl
It is all happening at The Boulevard as the new multi-million-pound entertainment Hollywood Bowl complex prepares to open next month.
It will be the brand’s second site in Northern Ireland, with the popular Hollywood Bowl inside The O2 Belfast complex.
It is set to feature 21 ten-pin bowling lanes, state-of-the-art amusements and pool tables and will create over 45 new jobs when it opens in September.
Guests who visit the centre will also get to enjoy interactive darts, brand new e-karting, a live sports bar, and its famous diner featuring a selection of delicious food and drinks, including American classics such as hot dogs, burgers, shakes and signature cocktails.
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