Regatta closes Cork distribution centre after 18 months

A POPULAR retailer is to close the doors of its Cork distribution centre after just 18 months.

Outdoor apparel retailer Regatta announced that it will no longer operate from the distribution centre that was opened in Cork in 2022.

The 170,000sq ft warehouse opened last summer in Ringaskiddy, employing 70 people.

The company says it has taken the difficult decision to transfer its logistics operation from Ringaskiddy to facilities elsewhere within the group.

The Ringaskiddy location was the Regatta Group’s third warehouse in Europe, which includes the UK and Poland, with a fourth in the US.

Consultations to be held with staff 

In a statement Brian Fox, managing director of Regatta Ireland, said: “Eighteen months ago, it was the correct decision to set up a distribution centre in Ireland. We are proud of our colleagues who have worked tirelessly to make it work. However, we did not anticipate the continued rate of growth that we have experienced across retail, wholesale and online.

“We pride ourselves on the terrific service we provide, but it has become clear that we need to transfer this function of our operation to our other logistics facilities in order to deliver the best possible customer service and ensure that all our customers continue to have access to our full and growing product ranges.”

In April of 2022, Regatta Great Outdoors held recruitment events in Cork in the Carrigaline Court Hotel for positions, which included warehouse operatives, team leaders, supervisors, stock controllers, despatch and administration, operatives, health and safety officer, and facilities colleagues.

Regatta says it will be conducting consultations with staff and says there will be opportunities in other parts of the business for redeployment.

Uncertainty

However, despite this, concerns have been raised over the 70 jobs. Cork North Central TD Mick Barry has said that the closure of the centre has led to a lot of uncertainty for staff.

“They need to explain how they plan to redeploy workers when the only other distribution centres they have are in the UK, Poland and the US,” he said.

The decision to close the Cork distribution centre is not expected to affect the many Regatta retail stores across the country.

Currently, Regatta operates four retail premises in Cork, in on Oliver Plunkett St, Mahon Point Shopping Centre, Blackpool Shopping Centre, and in Ballincollig.