STILLORGAN SHOPPING centre in south Dublin continues to reinvent itself, finding another high-profile tenant for a large store in the suburban complex while plans are put on hold for a major redevelopment.
The Kilkenny Group is to begin trading before the end of October in a 1,850 sq m (2,000 sq ft) store, where its stock will include accessories, jewellery and Newbridge and other crafted gifts. The arrival of Kilkenny Design will bring to eight the number of new businesses which have opened since the start of the year. Donnybrook Fair was by far the most prestigious new arrival.
Niall Kavanagh, director of property at Treasury Holdings, owners of the centre, said their success could be attributed to a solid business strategy, which involved addressing head-on the difficulties facing traders. They had worked with existing tenants, where possible, and potential tenants to agree practical lease terms. The result was that they now have a vacancy rate of only 5 per cent and they are in advanced negotiations with a restaurateur to operate a new 2,787 sq m (3,000 sq ft) unit.
Kilkenny group will be able to avail of a concession rent for five years with a review to open market terms after five years.
The Kilkenny group has seven own-brand stores in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Killarney and Cashel, as well as two sister brands: Christy’s Irish Design outlets in Killarney and Cobh.
The other new traders at Stillorgan are Ecco, Eddie Rockets, The Card Shop, Newspost and Gazebo.
Dublin City Council recently extended planning permission to provide an additonal 18,000 sq m of shopping space in addition to the existing capacity of 13,000 sq m. The permission now expires in August 2016. The Stillorgan centre dates from the 1960s and was the first conventional shopping centre opened in Dublin.
