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by **Cap** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 10:32 am

By Zoe Christodoulides

THE LARGEST retail centre our island has ever seen will soon be opening its doors to the general public with the official date now set for May 30.

Limassol’s Tiffany Mall covers a 104,000 square metre plot and boasts a total of 150 shops. Located in the Zakaki area next to the new port at the western entrance of the town, the impressive investment nearing the €100 million mark has created over 1,000 new jobs.

Opened by Tiffany Investments Ltd, the company is owned by international and local businessmen who have joined forces to ensure the ultimate success of the new venture.

The company says the complex boasts cutting-edge design, with skylights, spacious boardwalks and parking for 1,600 vehicles.

Particularly keen on luring tourists to the new centre, special buses will be running from hotels and scheduled shopping trips will be offered to all visitors arriving at the Limassol port. A VAT refund office operating within the mall premises will also work in their favour.

“A place like this has been missing from the island for so long; it was about time tourists were given this option,” said Managing Director of the company, Alex Raz at a news conference yesterday.

With a wide range of fashion and home stores, the centre will even include new brand name outlets opening on the island for the first time. Not just about purchasing goods, the mall will also offer crowds a wide range of entertainment options.

Children have been given particular attention in the new venture, with the main attraction being a large and modern ice rink. A kiddy-land and arcade games room will also keep the young ones busy.

With an emphasis on total convenience, 17 restaurants, cafés and fast food outlets are also on site, as well as other amenities including a bank, dry cleaners, pharmacy, delicatessen, bakery and key cutting service.

In the face of the current financial crises, it’s natural that plenty of local shopkeepers are worried about the knock-on effect of the new mall on their businesses.

“I know that there have been many people saying that the project will be detrimental to the small retailers in Limassol,” said Raz. “But I don’t believe that at all. The whole of Europe is full of malls and there is enough space for small and medium sized retailers to make a profit.”

Set to operate within normal shop hours upon opening, the management are hoping to extend hours once tourists show an interest in the venue.

“We’re in a bad economic situation all over the world and more shopping hours to entice crowds is a necessity,” said Raz. “Malls are open seven days a week in other countries, why not here?”

Talks are also in the works for a similar mall to open up in Nicosia in the new future, with investors also looking into the possibility of building in Paphos and Larnaca.

by **Hazza** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 12:47 pm

Anyone have any ideas as to what shops will be open??

by **Cap** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 12:59 pm

by **Cap** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 1:08 pm

Hazza wrote:Anyone have any ideas as to what shops will be open??

In an effort to attract tourists, the Tiffany Mall will operate special buses from hotels and scheduled shopping to all visitors arriving at Limassol port. A VAT refund office operating within the mall will also work in their favour, said the company’s Managing Director, Alex Raz.
With a wide range of fashion and home stores, the centre will even include new brand name outlets opening on the island for the first time. The mall will also offer a wide range of entertainment options.
In all, there will be 17 restaurants, cafés and fast food outlets, as well as other amenities including a bank, dry cleaners, pharmacy, delicatessen, bakery and a key cutting service. The ‘kidsland’ play area will include arcade games and a large ice skating rink.