A “pronounced switch” by customers away from face-to-face engagement in favour of phone and online has been blamed for the pending closure of more than 40% of Axa’s branches in the Republic of Ireland.

MORE musical chairs in train along Cork city’s South Mall, where ground floor showroom/offices come up to let at a competitive €18 per square foot — just a shade under the €15 psf quoted for larger overhead first and second floor space.