Thursday, August 08, 2013
Marks and Spencer will open a new flagship store in Co Limerick and will overhaul its Grafton St store in Dublin following a review of its Irish operations.
The company said its proposed new & Limerick store will be a 72,000sq ft flagship business centred in the planned Horizon Mall (formerly Parkway Valley) outlet on the Dublin Road — subject to planning permission.
It is hoped the new store will open in autumn 2016, creating 250 new jobs.
The news was tempered by the announcement of the impending closure of four existing M&S outlets, with the loss of 180 jobs.
While news of the store in Limerick was welcomed locally, Retail Excellence Ireland said it was disappointed that M&S had chosen an out-of-town location for the proposed development, and asked the company to reconsider.
REI chief executive David Fitzsimons said: “There are significant plans in place to revive Limerick City, including the redevelopment of the Arthur’s Quay Shopping Centre which will provide adequate space for retailers requiring a large retail footprint. Limerick, like many towns and cities, has experienced significant out of town development and a town and city centre first approach is a priority.
“Retailers like M&S would add greatly to the city retail mix and we very much hope that the retailer reconsiders their plans.”
Irish management at M&S said its Grafton St store will be re-launched as M&S’s regional centre for Ireland.
Jonathan Glenister, head of M&S Ireland, said: “We hope that the news of a new flagship store for Limerick and an investment in our remaining estate will be welcomed by our customers and seen as a confirmation of our commitment to the Republic of Ireland.”
Limerick Chamber of Commerce said the new outlet would contribute to an enhanced retail provision in the region and reinforce Limerick as the largest retail centre in the mid-west.
Its chief executive Maria Kelly said: “With all the positive developments that are happening in Limerick, Marks and Spencer are right to be looking at locating a flagship store here but the right strategic move would be for M&S to locate in the city centre.”