No job losses as well-known sports retailer set to close Blackpool store 

Life Style Sports has announced the closure of a second Cork store

One of the leading retailers of sporting goods and fashion in Ireland, the sportswear store has issued a closing down sale in its northside location.

The Blackpool Retail Park store erected signage marking the closure, sharing this message with their customers:

“We'll miss you. This store is closing down. But don't worry, you can visit us nearby at the Capitol, or shop online."

At present all lines are marked down 20% in an ‘everything must go’ sale.

Speaking to The Echo, manager at the Life Style Sports store in Blackpool, Hazel O’Shea, said that staff were informed about the closure about a week ago.

Ms O’Shea, who has been working at the store since November but has been with the company for several years, said the news did not come as a big surprise.

“It’s a very quiet store, it’s just the location,” she said.

Approximately six staff currently work in the Blackpool store, all of whom have been offered transfers.

“We’ve all been offered our transfers… so no one is actually out of a job.

“There’s the Patrick Street store and then there’s Mahon and Wilton so there’s loads of stores for all the staff to go to,” Ms O’Shea said.

The Blackpool store is expected to close in the coming weeks.

This is the second closure from the retailer across Cork in recent times, as the Ballincollig location failed to reopen following Covid closures.

In 2017, the chain opened their newest and most innovative store at The Capitol Building on Patrick’s Street.

Speaking at the opening of the flagship store in 2017, representatives for the brand said: “Situated in the heart of Cork city, our new cutting-edge store is the largest Life Style Sports location to date. At 20,000 square feet, the new store will be the largest sports fashion retailer in Cork and is positioned to be one of the most innovative sports retail experiences in Europe.” 

The Blackpool Retail Park is also set to lose another major store in the coming months. Argos confirmed on Thursday morning that it is to close all its Irish stores.