Spencer is to close four stores in the Republic of Ireland following a strategic store review in the region.The four stores - M&S Mullingar, M&S Tallaght, M&S Simply Food Dun Laoghaire and M&S Simply Food Naas - are to close in the coming weeks, resulting in 180 redundancies.
The retailer is to invest in its remaining store portfolio over the next year, which will include the repositioning if the Grafton St store as an M&S regional centre. A flagship store has been earmarked for Limerick, with a proposed opening of 2016.
Jonathan Glenister, Head of M&S Ireland said, “M&S remains fully committed to its Irish business. We have traded here for the last 35 years, employ around 2,800 people and have extraordinarily loyal Irish customers, but the last few years have been very challenging. During this time our Republic of Ireland business has been under continuous review and we have made savings and found efficiencies wherever possible.
“However, the retail sector outlook has not improved and we have to act now to protect the long term good of the company. We have carried out a strategic store review and it is with regret that we are now closing four unprofitable stores.
“Our first duty is to our affected store teams and we have spoken to them directly today. We will now do all that we can to help them through the coming weeks and support them with their future employment needs. We are now closely engaging with our Union Officials from Mandate and SIPTU on all matters arising.
“Despite taking this difficult business decision, we are very proud of our Irish business and will continue to invest in it for the future. 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.”
Employing a total of 107 people, the M&S stores that are to close are M&S Mullingar, Co Westmeath; M&S Tallaght, Dublin 24; and M&S Simply Food Naas, Co Kildare, which all opened in 2007 and M&S Simply Food Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin, which opened in 2003.
The stores did not open today, as communication with the affected employees commenced this morning.
The stores will be closed for the remainder of the day and it is intended that the stores will re-open tomorrow and trade until Saturday 17 August. Following today’s announcement, M&S will have 16 full offer stores and one Simply Food store in the Republic of Ireland.
