Penneys hopeful of Autumn start for new multimillion euro Cork City expansion plan 

DETAILS of Irish clothing retail giant Penneys revised expansion plans for its Cork city centre store are revealed in a new planning application which proposes a 6,000 sq ft extension – a substantial reduction from the 17,000 sq ft originally planned.

The development would bring several long-vacant units back into use, including the former Jack & Jones store on St Patrick’s St, as well as a vacant unit at No 1 Cook Street. These units, along with neighbouring Flying Tiger, are set to be incorporated into an enlarged Penneys.

The retailer also plans to refresh and modernise its existing store, including relocating escalators “to provide a better store flow and shopping experience”.

The store will remain open throughout the redevelopment project, which Penneys hopes to begin in Autumn, pending a successful planning outcome. The new store size will offer 40,500 sq ft of retail space.

Fintan Costello, Head of Penneys Ireland and Northern Ireland, said if the revised planning application is successful, it will lead to a “a multi-million euro investment”.

“Our plans are focused on creating a modern, transformed flagship store for our customers and colleagues - improving the shopping and instore experience, while bringing fresh energy and footfall to Cork city centre,” Mr Costello said.

The new application is a substantial redrawing of what was originally envisaged when Penneys first sought permission to expand its premier Cork store in 2021. That €60m project – which took two years to get through the planning system - was subsequently put on hold. Penneys said at the time that planning delays and rising construction costs had impacted their decision. They had also invested €4m in their Wilton store during the intervening period.

The original proposal would have seen Nos 1-3 Cook St amalgamated as part of the redevelopment plan, but Nos 2 and 3 are omitted from the new application. In a planning statement submitted by planning consultants McCutcheon Halley on behalf of Primark Ltd, it said the intention was “to bring these properties into useful occupation in the mid term”. The same applied to other vacant units on Cook St in Penneys ownership. McCutcheon Halley said “different options were being considered, including the selling of the units", adding that they would “provide an attraction location for a variety of retailers who would also stand to benefit from the proposed redevelopment of Penneys”.

The redevelopment will include new fixtures and fittings, flooring and lighting in the store and the cleaning and painting of all facades, as well as new exterior signage. It will also include new and refurbished back of house areas.