‘We are stuck in the middle of this’

AS industry forces fight to decide the future occupancy of the former Roches Stores outlet in Wilton, Cork, the 172 people who have spent up to 30 years working there are left to wonder whether they will have jobs to go to next week.

The shell of the former 45,000sq ft Roches Stores has lain empty for the past three weeks. Its workers were looking forward to taking up new jobs with Marks & Spencer, which was to take over the site.

However, on Sunday, they were plunged into panic when news broke that the deal had fallen through.

Over the following 72 hours, they have gone through a rollercoaster of emotions as, first the deal seemed irreparable, then it was on again, then it was off again. They have maintained a vigil outside their former place of work, bearing placards demanding their jobs be secured.

Retired members, who each gave more than 25 years service, gathered hundreds of names from passing locals for a petition.

“We just wanted to support our colleagues because we were always like a big family here,” said Patsy Corcoran.

As their union representatives gave them the good, the bad and the confusing news from the negotiations throughout the past two days, many have cried in either relief or anger.

Lorraine Moylan has worked for Roches Stores for 25 years. She said: “The whole thing is up in the air. It is scandalous. We just want truthful answers. We are the ones stuck in the middle of all of this.”