Ringaskiddy distribution centre to close with the loss of 70 jobs

Clothing brand Regatta opened the 170,000sq ft warehouse last summer and employed some 70 full-time and contract staff

Regatta has now confirmed the warehouse will close in spring 2024, with operations moving to one of the company’s British facilities. Picture: Denis Minihane

A Ringaskiddy distribution centre for the clothing brand Regatta is set to close within months, resulting in the loss of 70 jobs. 

The warehouse opened last summer and employed some 70 full-time and contract staff. The 170,000sq ft facility was the Regatta Group’s third warehouse in Europe.

However, the company has now confirmed the warehouse will close in spring 2024, with operations moving to one of the company’s British facilities.

“Eighteen months ago, it was the correct decision to set up a distribution centre in Ireland,” Regatta Ireland managing director Brian Fox said in a statement.

“However, we did not anticipate the continued rate of growth that we have experienced across retail, wholesale and online. We pride ourselves on the terrific service we provide, but it has become clear that we need to transfer this function of our operation to our other logistics facilities in order to deliver the best possible customer service. 

We have taken the difficult decision to announce the proposal, to transfer our logistics operation from Cork to logistics facilities elsewhere within the Regatta Group.” 

The Ringskiddy facility will continue with business as usual until after the autumn/winter 2023 season, management confirmed, with “opportunities in other parts of the business for redeployment” offered to as many staff as possible after this time.

“As a family run business, the needs of our staff are of the utmost importance to us and as such we will be conducting collective and individual consultations,” the Regatta Group said in a statement.

Atkins DIY closes

Elsewhere in Cork, emotions ran high for staff of Atkins DIY in Clonakilty, which will close its doors on its last day trading on Friday after more than a century of trading. 

Atkins DIY is to close on Friday.

The Atkins company had been in operation in Clonakilty since 1876, with a name change to Atkins DIY in the 1990s and a buyout by current owners Sandra Stanley and Stuart McDonald in 2011.

The sale of the 0.6acre Atkins site in Clonakilty town centre, with an estimated €1m price tag, was announced during the summer. In recent weeks, the DIY store has been selling off remaining stock at discounts in preparation for closure.

Local independent councillor Paul Hayes said Friday was “a sad day for Clonakilty”. 

“Atkins has been an institution for as long as I can remember, an ever-present, iconic town centre feature,” Mr Hayes said.

My sympathies go out most especially to long-serving staff members, some of whom left school and came to work for Atkins over 40 years ago.” 

Mr Hayes has called for Cork County Council to buy the landmark town centre site, and warned it must not be allowed to fall into disrepair if left vacant during the sale process.

“When I was first made aware of the site coming on sale I wanted the council to step in and purchase the building and the yard,” he said.

“There are so many different things that could be done with it, from housing to retail to public space like a theatre, that I see this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the council. 

"But at present, it seems they are not looking favourably on the idea and I’ve been told there are budget constraints. I would love to see it come in to public ownership.”