New Penneys store planned in Ennis town centre

Gordon Deegan

The company behind the Penney’s retail brand is to lodge plans for a new outlet close to Ennis town centre in the coming days.

A published statutory planning notice confirms that Primark Ltd is to lodge plans for a three-storey over basement outlet on a 1.3 acre site in Harmony Row, Bank Place and Bindon Lane, Ennis.

The proposed development is located across the River Fergus from the planned mixed-use scheme by Clare County Council subsidiary Ennis 2040 for Abbey Street Park that has been paused due to a public backlash.

The new Penneys proposals are expected to boost the economic fortunes of Ennis town centre through increased footfall.

The new store is also part of Penneys' commitment to invest over €250 million in Ireland over a 10-year period, which includes the development, relocation and/or refurbishment of its stores across the country.

The Penneys scheme for Ennis comprises a gross floor area of 3,550 sq metres including ancillary uses comprising staff area, stockroom, plant rooms and other ancillary areas.

The scheme also involves alterations and re-arrangements to the existing car park area serving the Bank of Ireland, a protected structure off Bindon Street and Bindon Lane.

The proposal also involves the construction of a new public riverside pedestrian walkway from Bank Place to the existing pedestrian bridge over the River Fergus connecting to the path from Harmony Row and modifications to the walkway of the existing bridge.

The plan also includes the demolition of a derelict house structure to make way for the new shopping outlet.

The company currently operates a Penney’s store at Ennis Shopping Centre located opposite Zimmer Biomet Cusack Park on Francis Street.

That outlet has operated in the town over a long period and a spokeswoman for Primark said on Monday: “We know how much our customers in Ennis would love a bigger Penneys store and we too would love to make that happen. We hope to share more details when we can.”

Penneys opened its first store on Mary Street in Dublin 56 years ago and with the addition of a new store at Bray last year it now has 38 stores across 21 counties in the Republic.

Penneys trades as Primark internationally and the retailer has over 450 stores across Europe and the US.

Primark is also accelerating the pace of its international expansion, with ambitions to reach 530 stores by the end of 2026.