Fashion retailer Penneys is set to anchor a new € 70 million shopping centre in Carlow.
A number of other retailers, both international and national, are also in talks to locate at Carlow Central shopping centre, property group Lexeme said. The centre is set to open in 2018.
The new development is on a 6.5 acre site that will incorporate Penneys existing store along with additional adjoining lands. When completed, the Carlow Central scheme will include 200,000sq ft of retail space, 640 car spaces and 10,000sq ft of office accommodation.
The construction phase will create more than 225 jobs. Once the scheme is completed, it is expected to provide around 800 jobs, both full and part time. It may also mean extra jobs at Penneys.
“This announcement is an important milestone for us, and one which we know is eagerly anticipated by the people of Carlow,” said Gerry Butler, sales director with Primark which trades as Penneys in Ireland. “We are delighted that the expansion will generate additional jobs in the new store.”
Penneys has 37 stores in Ireland, with more than 325 stores in 11 countries. In 2015 it opened its first US store, and began expanding its US footprint throughout last year.
