Bargain hunters’ paradise opens

WITH Aldi and Lidl enjoying a popularity they could only have dreamed of in celtic tiger Ireland, a new kid has come to the block.

Cork opened its arms and yesterday welcomed the holy grail of bargain outlets — TK Maxx.

And the bargain basement store wasted none of its hard-earned revenues on a grand store opening.

There were no celebrities hired to cut the red ribbon.

TK Maxx gave that honour to Patricia Petrassi from Ballyphehane — the first person in the queue of early morning shoppers waiting for the store to open its doors.

And there was no shopping spree awarded for the first purchase — that person, also Patricia, instead got a bouquet of flowers.

But shoppers were treated to a bucks fizz-type drink on arrival.

TK Maxx makes no secret of its no-frills operation. What it does promise is thousands of designer clothes with discounts of up to 60% on top brands.

And that’s exactly what Cork shoppers can expect upon arrival at the store, located at the newly opened plush Cornmarket Centre on the Coal Quay.

TK Maxx is paradise for serious shoppers — the type that brave Macy’s in New York at Christmas, or those that set their alarm for 5.00am for the Next end of summer sale.

The new Cork store is divided between ladies, menswear, shoes, home, bags and jewellery.

Time is essential at TK Maxx. The place is crammed with thousands of labels, packed together on rails throughout the store.

It will employ 80 people, with some vacancies still to be filled.

It is TK Maxx’s twelfth store in Ireland, with the Waterford outlet due to open in October.