Supermac's boss Pat McDonagh has signalled his interest in popular Dublin nightclub Copper Face Jack's, according to the Sunday Business Post. Owners Cathal and Paula Jackson announced their intention to sell "Coppers" and the adjacent 37-bedroom Jackson Court Hotel last week.
McDonagh, who owns a number of hotels, told the newspaper he would examine the acquisition opportunity. The property, which includes numbers 28 to 31 and number 35 on Dublin's Harcourt Street, is likely to sell for over €40 million.
Coppers, which was opened in 1996, is well established in Irish life, according to McDonagh, and will continue to be going forward.
Separately the Sunday Independent reports the founder of fast-food chain Eddie Rocket's is to step away from the day-to-day running of the business 30 years after it started. Niall Fortune, who opened the first restaurant on South Anne Street in Dublin's city centre in 1989, is to take up a new role as chairman of the Rockets Group. He will be replaced as managing director by Adrian Crean, who previously spent seven years heading up fast food giant McDonald's in Ireland.
Slack communicates interest in ESB’s new office development
US tech firm Slack is in advanced talks with the ESB to occupy its new Fitzwilliam 28 development in Dublin, according to a report in the Sunday Times. The fast-growing developer of workplace messaging apps is one of a number of tech multinationals seeking office accommodation in Dublin.
The ESB is redeveloping its existing headquarters on Fitzwilliam Street to encompass a new workplace for its 1,300 staff and a standalone office development. The total development will encompass 26,000sq m, while the Fitzwilliam 28 block will be 12,500sq m. The new office, in the centre of the capital’s so-called Georgian Mile, could accommodate more than 1,000 staff.
Murphy seeks extra €600m for State mortgage scheme
According to the Sunday Independent, the Department of Housing wants to quadruple the size of its State-backed mortgage scheme to €800 million. The Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan scheme is targeted at prospective buyers who cannot get a bank loan. It has experienced higher-than-expected demand since it was launched in February 2018. Originally €200 million was set aside to be loaned over a three-year period until 2020. However, the Department of Housing has now sought the permission of Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe to lend €200 million a year between now and 2021.
Aldi plans 50 more Irish stores in €400m expansion
The Sunday Independent also reports on plans by discount retail Aldi to open a further 50 stores in Ireland. Based on its expansion in Ireland, this would equate to capital expenditure of €400 million over the next seven to eight years. “We could comfortably open 50 more stores,” said Giles Hurley, chief executive of Aldi UK and Ireland.
