New Mango clothes shop opening has revived Limerick city centre

WHAT a month it has been for Limerick. I was absolutely delighted to attend the opening of the new Mango clothes shop on O’Connell Street.

These days, what with online retailers dominating sales, and the high cost of doing business destroying the high street offerings, it is simply wonderful to see a new business breathe life into the city. Not to mention the hype and the buzz surrounding the shop - it has been the talk of the town, with our politicians and our local fashionistas all dropping by to visit.

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It is so important when styling and shopping to be able to feel and see the texture, quality, and fit of clothes and that is why I find the in-person high street fashion experience is simply irreplaceable. For me, the in-person shopping experience - could never go out of style.

There is a phrase that is said: “build it and they will come”, and that is something I had in mind when I visited Mango. There was no shortage of people, young and old, exploring the fabulous fashions on display.

I knew the moment I went into the new shop that it was going to be a huge asset for the city. It was a huge loss to the town when Debenhams closed, and it’s just wonderful to see a city centre building thriving with life again.

The memories came flowing back as I went into Mango, of me as a young woman working in Roches Stores in the early-70s in the mods and rockers department. There, I learned how to get a feel for styling, fashion advice and I became aware of how stylish women carried themselves.

It is from the high street that I learned how stylish women can command a room with how they are dressed and how they stand tall - and for that experience I will always be grateful.

-Xx Celia