City council opposition may jeopardise 450 M&S jobs

THE owners of the Crescent Shopping Centre warned yesterday that opposition by Limerick City Council to a giant Marks & Spencer store at the Dooradoyle complex could force the giant retailer to Galway with the potential loss of 450 jobs.

M&S has chosen Limerick ahead of Galway for its anchor store for the greater west of Ireland region.

While Limerick County Council, which controls the Dooradoyle suburb, has given its blessing, Limerick City Council has moved to stop the development, saying it will hit city centre shopping.

Conor Kenny, the head of the Cloncourt Group — owners of the Crescent Shopping Centre — issued a stark warning yesterday that the city council objection could drive M&S to Galway.

Mr Kenny said: “This objection is a big kick in the teeth to us. We are looking to move forward with the county council. This €60 million project would create 450 full-time jobs and 300 during construction. For years M&S have been in the market trying to come into Limerick. As a strategic decision, M&S have decided they want an anchor store in the Crescent Shopping Centre. They might now decide to put their large anchor store in Galway rather than Limerick and transfer this investment to Galway.”

Limerick City Council maintains the development would skew proper and balanced development of the greater city area on both sides of the boundary.

Limerick City Manager Tom Mackey & claims the development contravenes retail guidelines for the Limerick area and would be detrimental to the city centre. He also claims it goes against the local area plan and is likely to generate traffic hazards.

Former Mayor of Limerick Councillor Joe Leddin has also &said huge suburban developments are being approved by the county authority without any discussion with the city council or residents.