Wigoders closes outlets with loss of 50 jobs

ONE of the State's oldest retailers, Wigoders, is to shed 50 jobs and close all but five of its outlets.

The home decorating retailer said intense competition and rising overheads meant it was impossible to keep all of its stores open and trading successfully.

It said rationalisation of outlets is seen as a sensible business plan into the future and it has begun the closure of Wigoders outlets at Capel Street in Dublin, Longford and Mullingar.

Shops in Tallaght (Dublin), Carlow, Bray, Coolock, Newbridge, Clonmel, Limerick, Tralee and Waterford are being put up for sale.

The closures will result in the loss of 50 full and part-time jobs, while the remaining stores will have 50 employees, a spokeswoman for the company said.

She added that the Wigoders outlets at Long Mile Road (Dublin), Kilkenny, Tullamore and Wexford and a franchise at Ennis will continue to trade.

Wigoders director Chris Wojnar said in a statement yesterday: "The decision to close some of our stores has naturally not been an easy one. We have a loyal staff and nationwide base.

"Our remaining stores are all profitable and downsizing will enable us to offer our customers the high quality products and service of which we feel justly proud."

He said increased overheads such as insurance, rents and service charges have resulted in some shops becoming unviable.

The chain has also not been helped by the DIY boom, which meant that stores like Wigoders which would have been heavily dependent on sales of wallpaper and paint had to adapt by moving into lighting, furniture and household products.

The Irish DIY market is highly competitive with a number of British chains, including B&Q and Homebase, entering the market. Existing Irish DIY specialists, such as Woodies and Atlantic Homecare, have also expanded rapidly in recent years.