The Junction

About 12 years ago, Antrim's town planners stumbled across an empty space on the outskirts of town and thought "Hey! This is the perfect spot for a cheap and nasty retail park! Let's build it here, next to the derelict Kerr's Tyres building to improve the area!"

The end result created Junction One, a retail park with outlet stores. So think Next Clearance, M&S Outlet (2 levels), Nike Factory Store, Adidas, Antler and Toytown. All of those are located here. The layout is a bit weird, as it is two triangles of shops back to back which is a bit inconvenient if you are trying to find a shop only to find that it is on the other side of the triangle. In a way, it reminds me of Glasgow Fort but on a much smaller scale and with shops that are dire.

Don't get me wrong, I do love a bargain but with the amount of empty units and the fashion actually in the outlet stores, it does feel slightly limited. It does have its positives like a Starbucks, a big Asda and a cinema with an "IMAX" screen. (Screen 1 of the Omniplex is 23m wide and is the largest cinema screen in Ireland.)

I do miss the café that was in M&S, and there was a decent little ice cream parlour at the back but both have sadly gone to make way for more emptiness. The former M&S Café is now the extended lingerie department. But M&S here doesn't even have a food hall so what is the point of calling it M&S!

But Starbucks, Asda and the cinema do keep me coming back when I'm over in Antrim and Redz, Moe's Grill and the Antrim Park at the edge of the place are also pretty good.

I would give the location, car parking and idea a big 5 star, but because approximately half the units are empty (I counted 25!!!!) I'm only giving it a 3 star. It's been over a year since I was here. There are only a handful of quality stores and they are worth visiting, as are a few eateries. Come on Junction One....Get better!!

Sadly more and more units have closed down here. But it still has the adidas shop. This means I can get my trainer fix and coffee fix at either Starbucks or Costa. So a win win for me.

Junction One was the first proper outlet centre to come to Ireland a few years back and it apparently goes from strength to strength. Located close to Antrim town and the M2/M22 motorway, in fact at junction one M22 thus the name.
Enough guff already!!! Main thing is there's lotta bargains to be had on a range of big brand names. So fill yer boots or what ever. Being an outlet there should as standard be at least 1 third off high street prices but often there are swingeing cuts of particular lines.

Travelled to junction one on Sunday and it was pleasant day out. The shops were far from busy which meant there were no crazed women wrestling over the last pair of magic gloves. The shops were covering discounted good which was good for the bank. All in all a decent place for a quick, economically shop.

Junction one was the first outlet to open in northern Ireland. There is often a great bargin to be found here. The shops can be hit and miss not all the shops are good at the same time.
Marks and spencer are always worth a visit as is thorntons and banana books. Next has some fab deals.
I do find junction one a bit over rated and the outlet in banbridge is much better. Junction one is a great addition to antrim tho and worth a visit for the odd bargin!

Very over rated, lots of top name stores but very little discount on designer brands compared to the high street, Lots of parking and easy to get to

Not too many bargains to be found here. Still a nice little shopping outlet with loads of shops. But all very average.

This is very good outlet and still expanding. There are too many shops to mention but you can see them at http://www.junctionone.co.uk - if you look around you will find some great discounts and bargains like underwear and clothes in marks and spencers, the same in next clearance etc. The idea is that all the stores there must offer some percentage of discount on their stock and of course some are better than others. They do some great seasonal events like the funfair/fireworks display at Halloween a few weeks ago. Free Parking and good clean toilet facilities lol Some of the cafe and restaurant places are way overpriced though!

Its excellent shopping outlet.cheap bargain for famous brandedit has next clearence storewhich i love
and also has over 3,000 free parking spaces,70 individual outlets