JUST six days ago, 172 Roches Stores staff were preparing for a new chapter in their working lives with Marks and Spencer.

LAST night 172 Roches Stores staff in Cork were told they were being made redundant because the owner of a shopping centre could not agree terms with Marks & Spencer over the cost of square footage.

THE owner of a Cork shopping centre has given Marks & Spencer until Friday to sign a new lease to take over a former Roches Stores plot or he will withdraw from negotiations with the retailer.