Penneys defends its Cork redevelopment plan over the loss of retail units

Fashion retailer said its plans to increase size of its St Patrick's St store by 50% will help reduce the number of vacant premises in the city centre

Penneys is seeking planning permission to increase the retail space of its store on St Patrick's Street by almost 50%.

Retail giant Penneys has moved to ease concerns that its plans to redevelop an entire block in Cork city into a single unit will have on the diversity of outlets available in the city's core shopping area.

Penneys is seeking planning permission from Cork City Council to increase the retail space of its store on St Patrick's Street by almost 50%, adding 17,000 sq ft to its existing 37,000 sq ft.