Major development as retailer primed for former Debenhams store in Limerick

THERE'S been a major development on the future use of a huge vacant retail unit in Limerick city centre.

The former Debenhams building has largely remained unused after the British retail chain moved to close all its Irish outlets at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It then subsequently announced its business will not re-open here, with the Irish operation of the firm being placed in liquidation.

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At this month's metroplitan district meeting, Cllr Maria Donoghue, Independent, saw a notice of motion pased which called on the owners of the building in Limerick - located at the corner of O'Connell Street and Sarsfield Street in the city centre - to expedite development on the site.

In a written response, the council's head of trade and investment Brendan Troy shared a response from the owner of the  former Debenhams store.

"The project is progressing well, and has reached an exciting stage in the design process. Over the last few months, the design team has been developing the detailed design with the aim of submitting the fire safety certificate, disabled access certificate and commencement notice. A contractor has now been appointed to undertake the works and negotiations with a leading fashion brand as the anchor tenant are at an advanced stage," the owner stated.

Previously, Limerick Live has revealed that the owner of the site, Galway-based developer Michael McDonagh, had sought planning permission from council to convert the building into an apart-hotel.

The building was back in temporary use over the Christmas period, after students of the Limerick School of Art and Design held a showcase on the premises.