During the 1980s and 1990s, shopping centres became popular across Ireland.
Developments began outside the main cities, bringing a new retail experience to rural Ireland. The Bridge Shopping Centre in Tullamore was one of the first major shopping centres built in the midlands.
It opened on this day in 1995.
Midlands Correspondent Sinéad Hussey visited the 'Centre' to find out how it has remained relevant in a changing retail landscape.
Since its official opening on 12 September 1995 by Gay Byrne and Joe Duffy, the £12 million development, equivalent to €45m today, has transformed Tullamore's town centre.
Over three decades it has welcomed more than 90 million visitors, supported around 10,750 jobs, and seen over €10m raised for charities.
Today, it is home to 30 businesses, employing an estimated 300 people, and it continues to anchor town-centre footfall in Tullamore.
"It's not just a shopping centre, it's a community and its location in the centre of the town is what's so important," said John Cusack, manager of the centre since 1996.
The vision for the project came from Christy Maye, a well-known businessman in the midlands who also ran the Bridge House Hotel in the town and the Greville Arms in Mullingar.
He went about buying derelict units and brick by brick, a regional shopping centre was developed.
"None of it would have been possible without the vision of Christy Maye and his legacy lives on through this centre," explains Mr Cusack.
"Thirty years on, the Centre continues to sustain our town centre, support local enterprise, and provide a place where community life thrives," he added.
"It's a one-stop shop," said manager of the Bridge Shopping Centre, John Cusack.
Over the years, there have been challenges, but the Centre has always adapted and, at times, been ahead of the curve.
It became one of the first shopping centres in Ireland to introduce a smoke-free policy in 1997, years before national legislation in 2004.
It received a huge boost when An Post moved in in 1996.
The Centre is at full occupancy, offering not only retail, a cinema and services but is also home to important civic services including the Citizen's Information Office, Tullamore and District Chamber of Commerce, and the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS).
A report published last year by Savills found that many large suburban shopping centres, the majority of which were built in the 1990s, face significant challenges to stay relevant.
Savills noted that these centres must diversify beyond traditional retail to stay viable, incorporating leisure, community, and service uses, essentially community hubs.
Tullamore is an example of just that, said Mr Cusack.
"It is a one-stop shop, you have Dunnes, the cinema, the post office, MABS, a solicitor, the pharmacy, you can get your lunch or a cup of coffee, it's all here," he said.
Enduring relevance linked to vision and foresight
The Bridge Shopping Centre's enduring relevance ties directly to Ireland's Town Centre First policy, according to Paul McLoughlin, Director of Services with Offaly County Council.
Unlike other suburban centres, its presence at the core of Tullamore sustains surrounding cafés, independent shops and civic activity, directly reflecting the goals of the Town Centre First policy.
"The Centre is a real community hub, from community to commerce, it has it all so it's a destination in and of itself," said Mr McLoughlin.
"When we see government initiatives in relation to Town Centre First plans, well that's what this vision was all about and that's what is happening here.
"It was vision and foresight and the Centre's ability to diversity that has made this place what it is today and helped it remain so relevant here."
The Business perspective
Almost at full occupancy, the Centre has had three new tenants in the last six months and despite the challenges others face, business owners in the Centre say it is thriving.
Tullamore has a population of around 15,000 people but Roger Guiney, who owns a pharmacy in the Centre, said if you add in the population in the surrounding areas, there is a significant market.
"It's in the middle of the town, in the heart of the town, so you can come into the town to do your business, to get something to eat and visit the centre.
"The public realm works have also helped regenerate the town and I think it's all helped sustain what we're doing."
Jennifer Ryan from Jenny's Kitchen said the community is at the heart of the Centre and she said that is why it remains a key part of life in Tullamore.
"80% of my trade is repeat trade and it's a mixture of all ages," said Ms Ryan.
"We have a lot of rural customers; I have lots of people who come into me every day and they come in because they have everything here.
"It's a place to meet people, it's more than a shopping centre, it's the personal touch and they appreciate it."
Salon owner Chris Devine, originally from Clara in Co Offaly, recently opened his hairdressers in the Centre, having worked in Dublin for years.
He said he was blown away by the "community" feel and the kindness from other retailers.
"We didn't realise we were coming into a community. Everyone was so welcoming, and everyone wanted to help us with our revamp," he said.
"Very quickly we realised, we had made a very good move coming here," he said.
Online shopping and out of town retails park are a constant threat for regional centres, the business owners said.
"The edge of town developments are the biggest challenge for us and that's the same everywhere," said Mr Guiney.
"In many ways, it's like having two towns in any provincial town, you have your town centre, and you have what's at the edge of town, that's a real challenge," he said.
Mr Cusack remains confident that whatever challenges lie ahead, the Centre will continue to play an important part of life in Tullamore.
"We are almost fully occupied and in the last six months we've had three new tenants, it's amazing," he said.
"Retail is always challenging but we're diversified, we've adapted, and the future looks bright for us here in Tullamore."
