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Minister of the Economy Caoimhe Archibald has spoke of the importance of the Quays Shopping Centre to Newry in reply to a question from Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty asking the Minister to detail any steps she has undertaken to support and provide certainty to businesses and employees at the Newry Quay's Shopping Centre.
The question follows news earlier this month that the company that owns the Quays Shopping Centre had went into Administration. On 19 March 2026, the High Court in Belfast formally placed UGP Newry Limited owner of the centre into administration,
UGP Newry Limited with a registered office at The Quays bought the Quays portfolio in February 2024 for around £17m.
In her reply Minister of the Economy Caoimhe Archibald said "The Quays Shopping Centre has been important for Newry’s retailers and community for 25 years. News that the company which owns the site has gone into administration is concerning, not only for businesses and employees but also the wider community."
While the minister didn't specifically address the Quays, she instead spoke broadly of what her department has done in the past and broad supports to businesses.
The minister said "Our high streets and city centres are changing, and I am committed to working across Departments to support the development of strong, vibrant local economies. I have provided funding to Local Economic Partnerships to work alongside Departments in developing economic plans that respond to the specific needs of local communities."
She continued: "My Department and partner organisations continue to provide a broad range of supports to businesses to help them be more competitive through energy efficiency, innovation, skills, and exploring new markets. Invest NI provides a broad range of support to small and medium sized businesses across the North primarily in the form of advice, guidance, innovation grants and access to finance."
For anyone facing redundancy she had this to say: "My Department’s Careers Service is also available to support anyone facing redundancy or who has been made unemployed. Careers Advisers have access to up-to-date labour market information provided by the Department’s economists which they use with the client to inform careers guidance discussions about reskilling, training, apprenticeships further and higher education."
This support is professional, free, specific and tailored to the needs of each individual, with the aim of supporting as many employees as possible back into employment."
