M&S closure "devastating blow" for Drogheda with the loss of 57 jobs
Retailer Marks & Spencer is to close its store in Drogheda, Co Louth with the loss of 57 jobs.
Staff were informed of the decision yesterday morning.
The move to close the Drogheda store has been described as a “major blow” for the town, by local Labour TD Ged Nash, as it’s a large employer and the only M&S store in the area.
In a statement, M&S said the closure was 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," Eddie Murphy, Country Director of M&S Ireland & Northern Ireland, said.
"We've shared this news with affected colleagues today and our priority now is to support them through these changes."
The company also said that its M&S Foodhall on Clarion Quay in Dublin will close. It has a workforce of 19 people.
The retailer said the store is being shut because of a consistent decline in sales and footfall over several years.
Mr Murphy said M&S is committed to Ireland and has ambitious plans for growth including doubling the number of Irish-based suppliers it uses.
He said recent Christmas figures indicated the business 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.
"We understand there will be some disappointment with our announcement, but we believe that this decision is the right one for the future of M&S in Ireland - allowing us to invest in our store estate, expand our Irish supply base and continue to build our partnership with Applegreen, whilst offering our customers exceptional value, quality, service and innovation."
Labour TD for Louth and East Meath Ged Nash said it was "devastating news" for staff in Drogheda.
"It is important that the company engages fully and openly with staff and their union in terms of the statutory redundancy consultation process," he 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.
"The company's statement makes it clear that there are commercial factors unique to the site that appears to have informed the decision made by M&S to shutter their Drogheda store."