172 retail jobs could go as centre owner ups the ante

ROCHES STORES’ 172 retail staff at a Cork shopping centre are looking increasingly certain to lose their jobs due to a battle between the centre owner and Marks & Spencer.

Wilton shopping centre owner Joe O’Donovan has given M&S until Friday evening to take up the lease on premises vacated by Roches Stores and he has said he wants €30 per square metre from the British retailer. While he has claimed he can be flexible while negotiating, Mr O’Donovan said last night: “I am a businessman with serious commitments. I have to be sensible.”

He also said M&S have refused to fully engage in negotiations. The British retailer, however, is adamant that it should only have to pay the lease which had been paid by Roches and which it said was significantly less than the demand of Mr O’Donovan.