Former Argos premises in Limerick to be occupied by new store

A NEW retailer is set to fill a vacant city premises left by Argos over four years ago, the Limerick Leader can reveal.

Gordon Kearney, managing director of Rooney Auctioneers, confirmed this week that 15-16 Cruises Street has been sold.

The new purchaser is Chinese company ToGo Retail which currently has 10 stores dotted around the country. The company’s website says that they “strive to offer you a wide choice of products at affordable prices, so that your home has a little more”.

Mr Kearney said it is a vote of confidence in Limerick city  and very welcome news for Cruises Street.

“I think it is very beneficial for the city centre to have a new retailer coming in, but more importantly in a street that is starved of a good few retailers because we have had a few closures over the years.

“So it's great to see that vote of confidence, not only in Limerick city, but in Cruises Street to have a retailer buy a unit. That's the key here. They've bought the unit, not leasing it. So they're here for the long haul,” said Mr Kearney, who believes it will be a “fantastic” new offering for city shoppers.

“ToGo Retail sells arts and crafts, homeware, DIY, gifts, gardening, furniture, fabric, garden furniture, American sweets.  I think it's fantastic for the city centre and fantastic for Cruises Street to have that hole that was left by Argos filled,” said Mr Kearney.  It's not known how much the sale went through for

Argos left Cruises Street in September 2020 - in the height of Covid restrictions - with 14 staff members affected. There are green shoots on the street with a number of owner occupiers now in place.

“That’s important because three bad trading months isn't going to lose them - they're in for the long haul,” said Mr Kearney.

The Leader reported in September that the former McDonald’s building in Limerick city centre has been sold.

The landmark unit at the junction of O’Connell Street and Cruises Street was snapped up by businessman and restaurateur Brian Dunne.

The unit has been boarded up for more than 12 months after the fast-food chain closed its store in the city centre.

Limerick will be the first city in Ireland that ToGo have located in.

Youghal, Cobh, Wexford, Enniscorthy and Carlow are among their existing offerings.

However, it is understood they won’t be open in time for Christmas shoppers as they are doing a full refit of 15-16 Cruises Street.

ToGo is expected to open in the city early in the New Year.

 The property was marketed as a  superb retail unit having accommodation on ground, first and  basement levels with excellent profile onto Cruises Street with  neighbouring occupiers include River Island, Flying Tiger, Specsavers, JD Sports and many others.

Cruises Street received a boost earlier this year with confirmation that €120,000 has been allocated to help regenerate it with new  lighting, seating and  planting on the agenda..

The street takes its name from Cruises Royal Hotel, the once well-known Limerick landmark. The hotel was demolished in 1991 to make way for the new pedestrianised street which opened in late 1992.

READ MORE: Limerick hotel plans for four-storey expansion

In September, Limerick City and County Council invited the people of Limerick to offer ideas on how Market Quarter and Cruises Street should be upgraded.

Members of the public were asked  to participate in non-statutory public consultations regarding the proposed Public Realm Upgrade project.

Limerick Council’s objectives for the project are “to make the Market Quarter and the Milk Market key locations, improve connectivity between O’Connell Street, Cruises  Street, Arthur’s Quay, Opera Square and The Market Quarter, and improve safety and accessibility in the area.”