Saville Menswear suits up for award

ONE of the largest menswear stores in Europe, situated in the heart of Cork city, was yesterday announced as the third quarter winner of the Cork Business Association business of the year award.

Jim and Pam O’Regan, the proprietors of Saville Menswear, which is located on Oliver Plunkett Street, picked up the award yesterday in the presence of the Lord Mayor of Cork Donal Counihan and representatives from the association.

Accepting the award, sponsored by Heineken and the Irish Examiner, Jim O’Regan, who is also the proprietor of Gentleman’s Quarters on St Patrick’s Street said: “This is a fantastic surprise and is a great award to receive.

“My father traded on Oliver Plunkett Street in the 1940s so we have a long-established relation with the street.” Saville has three floors and further expansion is under way with the acquisition of an adjoining building, previously occupied by Jill Oliver.

Mr O’Regan said Saville will then expand to 20,000sq ft in size, helped by the opening of the couple’s franchise Tommy Hilfiger store, which Mr O’Regan said has been a huge success.

“One thing we pride ourselves on is our team of employees without whom none of this would be possible. They are fantastic,” he added.

Mr O’Regan was born in Cork city and left school at 15 to set up his own business. He set up a menswear store in the market in Cork and over the years purchased additional buildings to form what is now Saville.

Mr Counihan said: “Saville is a vibrant exciting store, which has employed and given security to many people over the years.”

Its workforce expands up to 80 people at Christmas between Saville and Gentlemen’s Quarters.

Judging panel chair James O’Sullivan said: “Jim and Pam O’Regan, are true Cork people who have built up their business and have not been afraid to invest in the business and their buildings, this is a sure sign of confidence in Cork city centre as the leading shopping centre for Munster.”