Another store set to bite the dust in Clanbrassil Street

Clanbrassil Street is set to lose yet another retailer after fashion outlet Sally West announced its decision to close.

The store at 57 Clanbrassil Street has sold a wide range of Irish and European women’s fashion labels in Dundalk for several years and also has stores in Cavan, Kilkenny and Gorey.

Now though, a closing down sale is in operation leaving yet another retail unit empty on what was once Dundalk’s premier shopping street.

The decision of Sally West to close follows hot on the heels of a similar announcement from Duffner Bros jewellers, who are holding a retirement sale at present.

Meanwhile, Campbell’s Jewellers in the Demesne also shut its doors for the last time on Saturday as the growing list of store closures continue to mount in the town centre. Other fashion outlets in the town centre to have closed already this year include Pulse Pacemaker in Park Street and Penneys in the Long Walk Shopping Centre

Another retail blow for Dundalk as Campbell Jewellers is to close

Dundalk is set to suffer another huge retail blow with the news that Campbell’s Jewellers is to close in the coming weeks.

The long-established business, run by Anne Campbell, is blaming the economic downturn on their decision to close.

As well as being a popular jewellers over the years, the business at the Demesne Shopping Centre also became synonymous with local music and regularly sold tickets for concerts in and around the town.

A closing down sale is now in operation, with all stock having at least 50% off.

A statement from the jewellers said: “Unfortunately due to the economic downturn Campbell’s Jewellers will be closing down all stock half price.

“Dundalk has supported the business for many years and is much appreciated. Jewellers will close when stock is gone. Thanks for all the business over the years folks, will be sad to see it closed.”

The news of Campbell’s Jewellers closing comes just weeks after the closures of nearby News & Deli and Pulse Pacemaker on Park Street, as well as Penney’s in the Long Walk Shopping Centre.

Teens hit out at Marshes as store owner says second fight was narrowly avoided yesterday

The Marshes

A large number of local teenagers have hit out at the Marshes Shopping Centre on social media over the past 24 hours for what they deem to be “ageism”.

Following a fight in the centre on Saturday involving up to 40 teenagers, security in the centre having been taking a strict approach when it comes to young people entering the centre.

A number have complained that they have been turned away in recent days while many more have reportedly been asked to leave.

While the fight at the weekend isn’t being condoned, many local teens – the majority of whom are on mid-term break at present – feel they are all being tarred with the one brush for the actions of others.

Management at the Marshes have confirmed they are looking to identify those involved in Saturday’s fight outside Penney’s via CCTV.

Until then a cautious approach appears to be in operation with the centre set to review their policies with their legal teams in light of recent incidents. Manager Harry Traynor has already publicly apologised to anyone inconvenienced by the current strict measures, which are a necessary evil going by recent events.

One store manager in the centre told Talk of the Town last night that there were even a few teenagers planning a second fight yesterday evening – something which, thankfully, never came to pass although there were reports that a small scrap did happen at the Square.

She said: “There was a fight arranged for this evening in the Marshes (on the grape vine) for between 5 & 5:30. The droves of young ones that gathered trying to get in causing the security to focus all attention on them. The bad manners they gave to the security was unreal. No manners at all. It won’t end until a child or someone gets hurt.”

It appears that the actions of a few are spoiling the centre for the majority, with businesses and centre management caught in an unenviable situation.

One local teen at least saw the humerous side to the whole thing. Craig McHugh has put together a video on YouTube giving his reaction to the supposed teenager ban in the Marshes.

Check it out below:

“Total chaos” as fight involving 40 teens breaks out in the Marshes

The Marshes

A major fight involving up to 40 teenagers broke out in the Marshes Shopping Centre at the weekend.

The incident occurred close to closing time on Saturday in the vicinity of Penneys. No major injuries were sustained although several of the youths are understood to have been barred from the centre.

One onlooker described the scene as “utter bedlam” and “total chaos”. Others claim that pieces of furniture and a fire extinguisher were used as weapons in the brawl.

It is understood that two youths initially started fighting but this escalated with several more getting involved. Two teens were reportedly arrested at the scene afterwards by gardaí.

Security were on each entrance and exit of the centre yesterday as a precaution with centre management understood to be considering a new policy in relation to teenagers in the centre. A large number were reported to have been turned away yesterday as a result of Saturday’s incident.

No job losses expected from Penneys’ closure

There has been a silver lining to the news that Penneys are set to close their store in the Long Walk Shopping Centre, with Talk of the Town understanding that none of the 20 staff are set to lose their jobs.

The company notified employees of their decision to close the store after 20 years earlier this week. However, Talk of the Town understands that all of the staff effected will be transferred to Penneys’ other store in the Marshes Shopping Centre or other stores in the region with vacancies.

The store is due to close next month.

Malone disappointed in decision of Penneys to pull out of Long Walk Shopping Centre

Paddy Malone (left) in the Long Walk Shopping Centre with county councillor Linus English, who will be running alongside him for Fine Gael in May’s local elections

Dundalk Chamber of Commerce PRO Paddy Malone has expressed his disappointment at the decision of Penneys to close their store in the Long Walk Shopping Centre next month.

The news, which was relayed to staff yesterday, caught everyone by surprise and speaking to LMFM this morning, Mr Malone – who will be contesting the local elections in May – said the company’s decision was a blow at a time when Dundalk was making good progress.

“I think the town had seen a gradual recovery from the disaster of 2009 when sterling was at the rate that it was and talking to people just before Christmas, December was a good month for everybody.

“The late rush just before Christmas didn’t materialise and weather I’d say was part of the problem but overall everyone was happy with how Christmas had gone for them. So to hear of a retailer of Penneys’ size and clout closing was disappointing.”

Mr Malone said he had tried to contact the company about the matter but had received no reply as of this morning. His thoughts were with the 20 staff affected though but he said he is hoping that they will be relocated to the other Penneys store in the Marshes Shopping Centre.

Despite the fact that the Penneys in the Marshes is bigger, Mr Malone said he felt there was room for two such stores in a town of Dundalk’s size.

“They’re still in the Marshes but I thought the two would have complimented each other,” he told The Micheal Reade Show.

“When you look at Dundalk, it is big enough to support a number of different stores in different locations from the same retailers. Dunnes have done it successfully so I’m disappointed that Penneys have taken that position.”

The Blackrock man said he hoped the Long Walk would be able to find a replacement as anchor tenant in the centre once Penneys vacates the shopping centre but did give a silver lining by insisting that there had been increased commercial interest in Dundalk in recent months.

“There has been a greater interest shown from overseas in the town in the last six months. That hasn’t materialised on the street yet but the signs are there that there is interest being shown in the place,” he said.

Previously: Penneys closing in Long Walk Shopping Centre

Green expresses shock at news of Penneys closure

Cllr Jennifer Green

Councillor Jennifer Green has expressed her shock at the news that Penneys will be closing in the Long Walk Shopping Centre.

Talk of the Town exclusively broke the sad news yesterday after staff were informed of the company’s decision yesterday afternoon.

It is not yet known how many jobs will be lost from the closure, with many of the positions expected to be transferred to Penneys other local store in the Marshes Shopping Centre.

Staff are due to meet with management and union staff this morning.

Commenting on the closure, Sinn Féin councillor Green described the news as a “huge blow” for both the Long Walk and the town centre.

“Penneys has been an anchor store in the Long Walk shopping centre since it opened two decades ago and this is a huge blow to the shopping centre and also to the town centre. We now only have Tescos as an anchor for that end of the town. We have had so many closures on Clanbrassil Street and of course the fire which engulfed two businesses in the run up to Christmas and now this.”

Cllr Green said her thoughts were with staff at this time, many of whom “just don’t know what to do next.”

She said: “Some hope to be transferred to the Marshes but there is no guarantee of that. We are going to have two shopping centres in that end of town. Carroll Village has closed down completely and unless another anchor store can be found, the Long Walk will not be worth a visit.”

Previously: Penneys closing in Long Walk Shopping Centre

Penneys closing in Long Walk Shopping Centre

Dundalk has suffered another massive commercial blow with the news that Penneys in the Long Walk Shopping Centre is to close.

Staff were informed of the decision this afternoon.

Penneys has been an anchor tenant in the centre since it opened 20 years ago this year.

The store briefly closed following the opening of the Marshes Shopping Centre but reopened soon after.

No date has yet been revealed as to when the store will close for good or how many staff will lose their jobs although the company will have pulled out before the start of March it is understood.

The news is also a major blow to the Long Walk Shopping Centre and that area of town, which has suffered greatly from the closure of Carroll Village and a host of shop closures in Clanbrassil Street and the Northend in recent years.

Penneys hiring in Dundalk

Penneys are hiring a number of temporary retail assistants for their store in The Marshes Shopping Centre.

The part-time jobs are advertised here, with the closing date for applications October 15th.

Meanwhile, in Penneys

There’s still 101 days to go until Christmas but that hasn’t stopped Penneys in the Marshes (and elsewhere) from stocking their shelves with Christmas jumpers recently.

Surely this is much too soon?