The American coffee chain Starbucks is pushing ahead with the roll-out of new outlets with plans to open at 8 North Earl Street, Dublin 1, and the Marshes shopping centre in Dundalk. The coffee multiple has taken a sublease from Carphone Warehouse of the North Earl Street outlet. It has a ground floor retail area of 72sq m (774sq ft) and further space overhead. The €70,000 rental agreement includes a brief rent-free period. In Dundalk, Starbucks will be paying €60,000 for a unit of 167sq m (1,800 sq ft).

Daniel McLaughlin of Bannon said the demand for well-located city centre outlets far outstrips the available space.