Marks & Spencer in Drogheda is to close, with 57 staff members losing their jobs, RTÉ reported today.
Staff members were informed of the intention to close the store this morning.
The country director of Marks & Spencer Ireland and Northern Ireland, Eddie Murphy, said that the decision to close the store came as a result of declining footfall and sales.
“We have made the tough decision to close our Drogheda store because the shopping centre has low occupancy – requiring significant investment – and its sales performance is behind the rest of our store estate,” Murphy said.
“We’ve shared this news with affected colleagues today, and our priority now is to support them through these changes.”
‘Devastating News’
Labour Party enterprise spokesperson and local TD for the area Ged Nash said that the announcement was “devastating news” for workers and shoppers.
“It is important that the company engages fully and openly with staff and their union, in terms of the statutory redundancy consultation process,” Nash said.
“Agreed packages must adequately reflect the hard work and dedication of staff, many of whom have worked there since the store opened, two decades ago, and, where appropriate, staff should be given the option to relocate within the company.”
He continued, “This news is a major blow for the centre of Drogheda.”
Nash added that the presence of the only Marks & Spencer store in the region likely attracted shoppers to the town.
He noted, however, that the decision seemed to involve “commercial factors unique to the site” that led to the decision.
‘Shopping Habits Are Changing’
The company also announced the closure of its Clarion Quay food hall, due to a consistent decline in sales and footfall in recent years.
Murphy said that Marks & Spencer’s recent Christmas figures suggested that the company was “heading in the right direction,” but that the business needs to be modernised.
“Shopping habits are changing, and we are shaping our store estate to focus our investment on the right stores in the right places,” he said.
Murphy added that he understood that there would be disappointment at the announcement, but said that the change would enable Marks & Spencer to continue building store real estate and expand its partnership with Applegreen.
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