Penneys 'never tempted to look at Debenhams' as part of €60m Cork expansion plan
The expansion of Penneys on St Patrick's Street will reduce the amount of empty shops, as smaller units are amalgamated within the flagship store
FAST-fashion retail giant Penneys has confirmed that it was “never tempted to look at Debenhams” when planning a €60m redevelopment of its flagship store on Cork City’s main street, which has just been cleared by planners.
By the time Debenhams, formerly Roches Stores, became vacant in April 2020, Penneys had already spent the bones of 10 years and tens of millions of euros assembling almost an entire block on St Patrick Street. Having completed the site assembly, with the help of O’Flynn Construction, it lodged plans to expand its retail space by almost 50% in August 2021. Cork City Council consented to the plan, but it was subsequently appealed to An Bord Pleanála by the owner of a premises on Cook Street, who objected to the inclusion of Elbow Lane in the redevelopment. The Lane traverses the site and had been used for servicing of commercial units and refuse storage.
The board ruled in Penneys favour, a move business leaders have hailed as “excellent news for the city”.
While the retail giant does not yet have a start date for the project, a spokesperson for Penneys said they were “very happy” that the board had cleared the project to proceed.
“We can finally move ahead with our planned €60 million redevelopment of our Patrick Street store, which will increase its retail space by 17,000 sq ft to 54,000 sq ft.
“We are excited to bring an even bigger and better Penneys to the heart of Cork City centre and create a great new shopping experience for our customers,” the spokesperson said.
O’Flynn Construction’s involvement is set to continue, with confirmation that the group “will have an ongoing role in the project management and delivery of this project”.
Group CEO Michael O’Flynn said: "Primark are one of the major key retailers located in Cork City and it is critical that occupiers like Primark have the opportunity to meet with their business expansion needs in a city centre location".
President of Cork Business Association, Kevin Herlihy, said it was “brilliant news” for the city, and especially Cook Street, where Nos 1-3 will be amalgamated as part of the redevelopment plan.
“Those units on Cook Street, some of them are empty for well over 10 years. It’s been a long time coming, but it’s great news. I’m delighted for the traders on Cook Street,” he said.
One of the units is the former, long gone, Ambassador Restaurant. On St Patrick Street, Nos 31-34 will also be amalgamated - they were formerly home to Jack and Jones fashion store.
Cork Chamber welcomed the expansion news too.
“This is positive news for the city centre and enhances the retail offering of Cork City’s main shopping thoroughfare. Once complete the expansion will bring vacant sites to life, which is to be welcomed,” said Conor Healy, CEO of Cork Chamber.
The Penneys redevelopment comes at the end of a year of improving fortunes for St Patrick’s Street, which saw the sale in May of the iconic Debenhams store to Irish sport retail chain Intersport/Elverys for €12m, substantially lower than the asking price of €20m. Elverys are expected to move in early in 2024.
Across the street, upmarket fashion brand Flannels (owned by the Fraser Group) opened its new store in September, taking over from stationer/bookseller Eason, who relocated to n the ground floor of the former Victoria Hotel.
Spanish clothing giant Mango has taken a 10-year lease on the former Quills outlet next to the Savoy Shopping Centre, although store fit out has yet to begin. Further down the street, the former Oasis premises was taken over by Carrolls Irish Gifts, while doughnut purveyor Krispy Kreme moved into the former nearby Porters store.
Other new faces on St Patrick Street include outdoor wear specialists North Face and UK shoe retailer Dune.
