A South Dublin Penneys store has announced that it will close in the new year.
Located in Rathfarnham Shopping Centre, the store has been open for more than 27 years.
Now, there is much concern that the closure will have a negative impact on the surrounding businesses. Currently, there are 32 other stores operating in the shopping centre.
According to reports, the staff have been given the option to relocate to other southside stores in Liffey Valley, Dundrum, or Nutgrove if they wish.
Fianna Fail TD John Lahart explained how he was going to work to ensure that the closure didn’t have a major negative impact on the surrounding businesses.
Very unfortunate news that Penneys in Rathfarnham is to close after 28years. Massive blow for the Rathfarnham Shopping Centre & surrounding area. Penneys is a huge draw to the shopping centre & I will be doing all I can to ensure that a new tenant is found for the premises ASAP. pic.twitter.com/WRNFGcbyAH
— John Lahart TD (@JohnLahart) October 16, 2019
He said, “27 years ago, Penneys opened this store in Rathfarnham Shopping Centre.
“They announced to staff last Friday that this store will close in February.
“All staff will be relocated if they wish to, either in the Liffey Valley, Nutgrove, or Dundrum Town Centre’s Penneys.
“My priority is to ensure that Penneys, which would have been a big attraction and big draw to this shopping centre, is replaced as quickly as possible.
“I’ve written to the management company, requested a meeting, to see what their plans are to attract a replacement tenant for this premises as soon as possible.”
Locals also expressed how saddened they were by the news. One wrote on Twitter, “That is so sad and a massive blow”.
