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Image: Tim Ireland/PA Wire
Image: Tim Ireland/PA Wire
Updated: 10.58
MARKS & SPENCER HAS announced that it will close four stores in the Republic of Ireland with the loss of 180 jobs.
The four stores affected are in Mullingar, Tallaght, Dun Laoghaire, and Naas and are due to close in the coming weeks.
The UK retailer told staff this morning, and the stores did not open to customers, but are set to reopen again tomorrow.
Staff are currently engaging with union officials from Mandate and SIPTU.
New jobs
Meanwhile, M&S has also announced 250 new jobs at a store proposed to open in Limerick in 2016.
Also, in line with its plans to refresh and modernise its stores, M&S will be updating a number of existing stores throughout Ireland, including a relaunch of its Grafton Street store.
“Unprofitable”
Jonathan Glenister, head of M&S Ireland said they were closing the four stores because they were “unprofitable” and that they had “to act now to protect the long term good of the company”:
M&S remains fully committed to its Irish business. We have traded here for the last 35 years, employ around 2,800 people and have extraordinarily loyal Irish customers, but the last few years have been very challenging. During this time our Republic of Ireland business has been under continuous review and we have made savings and found efficiencies wherever possible.
First published 10.16
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