Penneys confirms two stores to operate 24/7 in run-up to Christmas

 Photo:Gareth Chaney/Collins

Penneys will reopen its stores next Tuesday under new government guidance, with 24/7 operations at two locations.

The retailer will extend trading hours to cater for the higher customer demand expected ahead of Christmas.

The longer hours will help safely reduce queues by spreading shopping hours over a longer period.

Stores located in city centres and major shopping centres will stay open until 10pm while shops on main streets and in town shopping centres will trade until 9pm.

Two Dublin stores will operate for 24-hours. The Dundrum Town Centre and Blanchardstown Centre branches will open their doors at 7am on Tuesday, December 1 and will remain open until closing time on Wednesday, December 2.

All 36 stores will have extensive safety measures in place including social distancing protocols, limits on the number of customers allowed in store, hand sanitisation stations, Perspex screens or cubicles at tills, the use of face masks in-store and increased cleaning.

"We have everything this season that our customers expect from Penneys, including our famous Christmas jumpers, festive pyjamas and much, much more," said Penneys CEO, Paul Marchant.

"All of our extensive safety measures remain in place to help ensure shopping at Penneys is an enjoyable, safe experience for everyone."

Announcing the move to level 3 of the Covid-19 restrictions, the Government said non-essential shops and shopping centres could reopen with protective measures in place.

As well as wearing face masks when in stores and shopping centres, the public are advised to wear a mask in outdoor crowded spaces like busy shopping streets.

Penneys closing times from December 2 

Town centre (main streets) stores will trade until 9pm 

Stores: Dun Laoghaire, Wexford, Sligo, Drogheda, Newbridge, Clonmel, Ballina, Killarney.

Town shopping centre stores will trade until 9pm 

Stores: Navan, Mullingar, Portlaoise, Ennis, Letterkenny, Galway Shopping Centre, Kilkenny, Santry, Artane, Tralee, Castlebar, Longford, Athlone, Dundalk, Carlow.

Until 9.30pm: Limerick-Dooradoyle 

Major shopping centres will trade until 10pm

Stores: Galway-Eyre Square, Swords, Cork-Wilton, Dundrum, Blanchardstown, Liffey Valley, Nutgrove.

City centre stores, the majority will trade until 10pm 

Stores: Dublin - Mary Street, Limerick-O’Connell Street, Waterford, Cork–Patrick Street, Dublin -O’Connell Street.