Penneys reveals plans to revamp store in Limerick city centre

FASHION and homeware retailer, Penneys, has upgrades planned for its store in the city centre over the next five years.

That’s according to information released by agents of the firm following a meeting held with planners at Limerick City and County Council.

In a summary of this meeting, agents for Primark, the parent company of Penneys disclosed council officials had raised concerns over the viability of the retail firm's store at O'Connell Street in the city centre should an extension of the Penneys store take place at the Crescent Shopping Centre in Dooradoyle.

Off the back of this, Penneys pledged improvements to its city centre store.

“In response to concerns raised at pre-planning consultations, regarding the potential for the proposed development to threaten the viability of their city centre operations on O’Connell Street, the applicant wishes to clarify that Primark Ltd. continues its commitment to the Limerick city centre store,” the agents stated.

Pre-planning meetings refer to meetings held with council planners before an application is made for development.
They present an opportunity for planners to informally set out issues which may delay the process further down the line.

Penneys agents added that there are “strategic investment plans related to the city centre”.

“Renovations and upgrades planned for the city centre store within the next five years.

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“The applicant is firmly aware of the importance its presence has on city centre trade and is committed to advancing the modernisation and investment in the flagship city centre operations alongside their presence in Dooradoyle,” the company's agents added.

Elsewhere in the same report, the agents re-affirmed: “The applicant is committed to investing and developing both their Dooradoyle and city centre operations, with significant investment plans for their O’Connell Street branch in place over the coming five years.”

Following this, council planners have afforded Penneys permission to expand its branch at the Crescent.

Penneys will expand into the neighbouring unit which up to now, has been used by Tesco Ireland for clothing, stationary, and other non-food items.

With the supermarket chain also getting the green light to expand its trading area in the main store - bringing food and non-food items into one area - this has paved the way for an expansion of Penneys in the Dooradoyle-based shopping centre.