High Court approves scheme that will keep doors of Cummins Sports four Cork shops open

Cork sports retailer Cummins will continue to trade after the High Court approved a scheme of arrangement. This follows a 30-day extension of its examinership.

The brand, co-founded by former GAA star Kevin Cummins, entered examinership in March because of a series of economic shocks and a surge of online competitors, and with annual losses since 2023.

Examiner John Russell, of Baker Tilly Ireland, said creditors have unanimously approved the scheme.

He said: “The scheme will see an investment from members of the Cummins family and the sale of a number of company properties that are no longer in use. Shareholders will not receive any proceeds as part of the scheme.”

“Cummins Sports will continue to trade from its four remaining units: In Douglas Court, Blackpool Shopping Centre, Fermoy, and Midleton. We wish the business well in the future.”

Both Kevin and Brendan Cummins will retire from the business after 55 years.

The company will now be taken over by Brendan’s children, Áine Caldwell, Kevin Cummins Jr, and Mary Claire Cummins, with the sports store to be revamped to face the evolving challenges of the retail market.

When the company entered examinership, it employed 74 people, and it was expected that 48 jobs could be saved.

Closed two flagship stores

The retailer has closed its two flagship city centre stores in recent years, shutting the doors of its first store, on Princes St, in 2023. Earlier this year, Cummins Sports closed two more locations: In the Castlewest Shopping Centre in Ballincollig, and its long-standing North Main St store.

The North Main St closure marked the end of a 30-year relationship with the city centre site. Its store in Bandon closed in October last year.

A statement from Cummins Sports said: “We are delighted to announce the successful conclusion of our examinership process, marking an important new chapter for our company and securing the future of 60 jobs in Cork.

“Today’s outcome is the result of an extraordinary collective effort. 

"Over the past year, and particularly throughout the last three months during the examinership process, our team has demonstrated remarkable resilience, professionalism, and commitment to ensuring the future of the business.

“We want to sincerely thank every member of our staff for their dedication and support during what has been an exceptionally challenging period. Difficult decisions had to be made, including redundancies, and we are deeply grateful to those colleagues who have contributed so much to the business over the years. We wish everyone who has left the company every success and happiness in the future.”