Sports Direct decision to locate in Mahon Point a 'vote of confidence' in Irish retail 

Call for planners to relax ‘use classes’ on certain city centre properties, especially on Cork’s St Patrick’s Street, to help the city recover post-pandemic

The Fraser Group has taken over the former Debenhams store at Mahon Point. File picture

A decision to open Sports Direct stores in vacant Debenhams outlets in Cork and Kildare has been described as a major vote of confidence in the Irish retail market.

And one of those involved in brokering the deal which brings the Fraser Group to Ireland has urged planners to relax "use classes" on certain city centre properties, especially on Cork’s St Patrick’s Street, to help the city recover post-pandemic.