The company behind the Penney's retail brand will soon unveil plans to open a new store near Ennis city centre.
A published planning notice confirms that Primark Ltd intends to submit plans for a three-storey shopping centre with a basement level on a 1.3-acre site at Harmony Row, Bank Place and Bindon Lane, Ennis.
The planned development is located across the River Fergus from Clare County Council's sister company Ennis 2040's planned mixed-use scheme for Abbey Street Park, which has been put on hold following a public backlash.
The new Penneys offerings are expected to boost the economic development of Ennis town centre by increasing visitor numbers.
The new store also forms part of Penneys' commitment to invest in excess of €250 million in Ireland over the next 10 years, including developing, relocating and/or refurbishing its stores across the country.
Penneys' project for Ennis comprises a total floor area of 3,550 square metres, including ancillary spaces such as utility rooms, storage, technical rooms and other support areas.
Also included are alterations and redevelopment of the existing car park which serves the Bank of Ireland, a secure site in the Bindon Street and Bindon Lane area.
The proposal includes the construction of a new riverside footpath from Bank Place to the existing River Fergus footbridge, which connects to the path from Harmony Row, as well as modifications to the footpath on the existing bridge.
The plan also includes demolishing an abandoned apartment building to make way for a new shopping centre.
The company currently operates a Penney's store in the Ennis Shopping Center, located across from the Zimmer Biomet Cusack Park on Francis Street.
The store has been in the town for a long time and a Primark spokesman said on Monday: “We understand how much our customers in Ennis want a larger Penneys store and so do we. We hope to provide more details as soon as possible.”
Penneys opened its first store on Mary Street in Dublin 56 years ago and with the opening of a new store in Bray last year, the company now has 38 stores across 21 counties in the Republic.
Penneys operates internationally under the Primark brand, with over 450 stores across Europe and the United States.
Primark is also stepping up its international expansion efforts and aims to open 530 stores by the end of 2026.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
