Cork furniture firm plans €3m expansion to meet ongoing demand

ONE of the country’s largest furniture stores is to embark on a €3 million expansion.

Planning permission has been granted for a 700-square metre extension at the New Furniture Centre in Blackpool, Cork and the store’s owners are also looking for a second outlet in the city.

The company’s founder and managing director Teddy Barry said that business is very steady despite the tougher trading conditions.

“We are speeding along and we on a more or less level par with last year,” he said.

The expansion will create around 12 jobs at the company.

Mr Barry also did not rule a move into Limerick or Waterford in the future.

At the moment the company occupies well over 9,000 square metres in Cork, “a far cry from the size we started with” said Mr Barry.

The company was founded by Mr Barry more than 30 years ago. His wife Betty, daughters Evelyn and Dolores and sons Kieran and Brian all work at the firm.

Mr Barry said that business is strong because of their many contacts with designers and manufacturers in Europe and elsewhere in the world.

“Irish suppliers are also still very important to us. We still feel we can offer the best value, selection and quality on sitting room, dining room and bedroom furniture in the country,” he said.