Gala store sews up tenancy at Cork's vacated Singer’s Corner

Location had operated as a garment alteration business for decades, before closing last March.

A Gala convenience store is set to move into the ground floor at Singer’s Corner on Cork City’s Grand Parade. Pic: Larry Cummins

A Gala convenience store is to take up residency at Singer’s Corner, a 200-year-old landmark property on Cork City’s Grand Parade, which had operated as a garment alteration business for decades, before closing last March.

The new tenants, secured by agents Casey and Kingston, are expected to start renovation work at the property in the new year with the intention of opening the new store in a couple of months.

Casey and Kingston had sought new tenants for the distinctive building in October, quoting a rent of €40,000 per annum for the opportunity to trade on the ground floor, with a mezzanine level available for storage. It’s understood a lease has been signed for the next few years, at an annual rent of €40,000.

Overseeing the deal was Sam Kingston Jr and he said the arrival of Gala was “very positive news”.

“We are very pleased with Gala’s submission for taking over the unit. They’ve got a great concept for what they are planning to do and convenience stores are doing great business in the city right now,” he said.

Last year, the Gala group celebrated 25 years in business, during which period it developed a network of more than 200 retailers nationwide.

The securing of a new tenant at the high profile Grand Parade premises will not affect tenants in the upper three floors, which are occupied by artists. The building was given a striking facelift in 2014, when it was repainted, replicating vintage Singer sewing machines in gold curlicues on black.

Built in 1827, the city-centre property was acquired by sewing machine makers Singer Manufacturing as its headquarters in 1870. It was later purchased by a private owner in 1960, with a garment alteration business operating continuously until March this year, when the decision to close was announced.

The building is in an area where considerable change has taken place in recent years. On the opposite corner, family business Finns, seller of sports good and uniforms, closed in 2020 after 140 years and has since been refurbished into overhead apartments with ground floor commercial use. Also nearby is Bishop Lucey Park, recently re-opened to the public after a two-year closure to facilitate a €7m makeover, which has received mixed reviews.