Retail operators with an eye to a deal in the current market – and cash to spare, of course – are increasingly opting to buy their premises rather than lease them. It’s making sense in commercial retail schemes, and there are plenty of them, where the liquidator has moved in to manage the asset.

Take the example of Theatre Lane in Greystones, Co Wicklow, a mixed-use scheme in the village comprising a theatre, dance studio, photography studio and six retail units. In January it became the first property sold in Ireland under a new click-to-purchase scheme operated by Lisney where the deal was transacted online.

The Theatre Lane sale closed in a matter of weeks after it went to best and final offers. Unusually, there had been no asking price because of planning problems associated with the property. In the end the entire lot was bought for about €430,000.

Clearly, the end buyer in this transaction needed to have a very clear idea of what they were getting into.

Step in Elaine McParland, owner of the Up To My Eyes eyelash extensions salon, located on two floors in the Theatre Lane complex. McParland’s husband, Ross, is the owner and founder of the very successful Ross McParland new homes agency that was taken over by Sherry FitzGerald in 2002. Ross remains with Sherry Fitz as executive chairman of Sherry FitzGerald new homes.

Always an enterprising type, Ross has frequently endorsed some of the hundreds of schemes he has been involved in by putting his money where his mouth is and investing himself. Most recently he moved into the pub trade after buying a pub in Delgany, Co Wicklow.

This latest Greystones deal is an endorsement of Elaine’s Up To My Eyes business which apparently is the go-to eyelash solution for any self-respecting ladies – and their daughters – who lunch.

Now what’s he going to do with a theatre and dance studio?